A Devon Hills household has been evicted without any alternative accommodation after a bailiff, real estate agent and locksmith attended the premises to enforce the eviction on Thursday morning.
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A court granted the vacant possession order on Tuesday, which was legally enforceable because the initial notice was given before a moratorium on evictions in Tasmania started on April 3.
Four officers from Tasmania Police also attended the address after a standoff started between the bailiff and residents.
Police helped to negotiate an outcome in which the household could return later in the afternoon to collect their pets, and they were given seven days to arrange for their belongings to be removed.
They could not enter the property in the meantime however, except to assist in removing the belongings, and the locks were changed.
As of late Thursday afternoon, the household did not have anywhere to stay.
Resident Tracey West said they had continued to search for a new rental, or short-term accommodation, but had been unsuccessful due to restrictions on inspections and properties that did not allow pets.
"I don't know what to do. I just can't believe this is happening," she said.
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Given the eviction was legal under current legislation, the household was unable to get support through the Tenants' Union or the Tenancy Commissioner. They were also unsuccessful in finding immediate accommodation through Housing Connect.
Ms West sought support through a range of state and federal politicians.
She said the government needed to revisit the moratorium legislation to protect tenants in her situation.
The household was given the eviction notice in February, but successfully applied for an extension of time. They say they applied for about 30 properties in the Launceston region in the interim period.
Tasmania was the first state to introduce a moratorium on evictions with the most wide-ranging legislation in the country.
Minister for Building and Construction Elise Archer said there was a "small number" of vacant possession orders that carried over from before April 3.
"Government would encourage both tenants and landlords to communicate their circumstances to each other and work together at this unprecedented time," she said.