TORCHED Housing Tasmania properties have already cost the taxpayer more than $1.5 million this financial year.
Yesterday Launceston detectives confirmed they were investigating another suspected arson of a Mayfield public housing home set alight at the weekend.
Inspector Jonathan Higgins said the property was vacant at the time and the damage bill was about $30,000.
Police are also investigating another suspected arson that took place on same street the night before, however the home was privately owned.
It had been unoccupied for just a few day.
In the six months to December there were 41 arson claims on Housing Tasmania properties, costing $1.68 million. Of those, 14 were in Launceston at a cost of $869,000.
Housing Tasmania said the torched Mayfield property had been vacant since late January which was within national benchmarks for re-tenanting.
The department said it was normal for a few properties to be empty at any one time.
More than half of Housing Tasmania's properties targeted by arson are tenanted at the time.
The department would not say whether the Mayfield home was fitted with a security camera at the time.
Properties deemed high- risk in terms of arson are often fitted with security cameras.
Housing Tasmania spokesman Lynden Pennitcott said a number of other prevention strategies were being used.
This includes a trial of fire retardant paint applied to vacant properties in the South.
The department also shares information with Tasmania Police about high risk properties which are patrolled by officers.
Anyone who has information about an arson attack should contact Crimestoppers on 1800333000 as they may be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000.