| |
Estate group hit by legal threats
Housing managers hit back at resident’s claim
MANAGERS of a housing estate in Victoria have threatened legal action after repeated calls from the chairwoman of a residents association for an inquiry into leaseholder bills.
On Monday, Moya Lee, a resident of the Millbank Estate, in Erasmus Street, in a newsletter, called for “an urgent independent inquiry” into what she believes to be “unfair practices” by Millbank Estate Management Organisation (MEMO).
They include claims of inequality of services, poorly managed contracts and that major works bills were passed without consultation.
The response from MEMO, the agents acting on behalf of CityWest Homes, was that there was “no case to answer”.
MEMO secretary Stephan J Jansen van Vuuren wrote: “Any further correspondence we receive from you or your associates in relation to this matter will be passed on to our solicitors.”
A member of Memo said Ms Lee had waged a personal vendetta against him for 10 years.
He said: “This has been going on for 10 years – the crunch has come.”
Ms Lee set up the Millbank Estate Residents' Association (MERA), representing 17 blocks and with more than 260 households, in 2003.
She says she is being gagged by the threat of legal costs.
“There is a real threat to freedom of speech and our right to assemble as they have banned MERA from using the estate’s hall,” said Ms Lee.
Tenant Kristof Jastrzembski said: “Frightening lone women with court costs or worse, should they speak out, is undemocratic and unacceptable.”
A spokeswoman for CityWest Homes said: “Millbank Estate Management Organisation (MEMO) is an independent organisation funded through CityWest Homes and led by residents.
“The 12 residents on the MEMO committee are legally responsible for its day-to-day running and conduct.
“We are aware that a resident has raised concerns about MEMO and last week decided to review its performance.
“We will look into these allegations as part of that review.”
MEMO have now hit back by distributing their own newsletter on the estate questioning the credibility of MERA. |
 |
|
| |
| |
