The Asbestos Response Taskforce has softened its rules for former tenants trying to find out if they have lived in a Mr Fluffy house, making it easier for them to get the information. The change was made only hours into the taskforce's operation on Monday.
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The initial rules required tenants to produce a electricity, water, gas, telephone bill, a lease agreement or similar document, to prove their connection with a house they had lived in. However, after announcing the system early on Monday, the taskforce took note of feedback from tenants, pointing out how difficult it was to access information that, in some cases, could be many years old. The taskforce then said it would accept statutory declarations as proof.
Former or current tenants, or owners, are asked to fill out a form available online and email, send or deliver it to the environment and planning directorate in Mitchell. The department received 37 requests on Monday.
Before this week, requests from 80 people had been turned down because they did not have the approval of the present, a department spokeswoman said. These people could reapply for the information under the new rules that do not require permission from home owners.
Applications would usually be processed within 48 hours, although the time it took could vary, depending on the number of applications, she said.
Authorities have not restricted how tenants can use the information, presumably leaving people free to make the information public. The spokeswoman said owners were not being contacted to be told of inquiries about their properties by former owners or tenants.
The head of Mr Fluffy Owners and Residents' Action Group, Brianna Heseltine, supported the information for tenants and the decision to allow statutory declarations. "Tenants deserve to know if they've lived in these homes and should have the right to that information," she said.
