“If DBAS learns that project owners are renting units to unqualified tenants, the project owner will be required to remove the tenant. Project owners who don’t follow the rules can also face corrective action, including recapture of the 1602 funds,” says Development Bank President Ruth Matagi Fa’atili. The DBAS President was responding to Samoa News queries after a complaint was launched against a 1602 owner by a former tenant claiming that he was evicted while the landlord kept his personal properties.

Samoa News looked into the matter and uncovered that the former tenant had been staying at the 1602 apartments prior to DBAS approval, and the homeowner had been collecting rent for three months and also charging the tenant for utilities.

According to 1602 policies, prior to a tenant moving in, the tenant must be both qualified and certified to rent the 1602 units. On the issue of utilities, in the absence of a utility allowance, the landlord must pay for all utilities except for telephone and cable TV, and even if the landlord charges less than the maximum rent, the landlord must still pay all utilities.

The landlord ousted the tenant in October, according to the former tenant, and then went after him for a deposit payment, utilities, cable bill and rental fee for all the furnishings in the apartment which the tenant had occupied.

According to the invoice from the landlord to the former tenant, shown to Samoa News, the 4-month rental fee for a dining set is $385, living room set $630, entertainment center $420, microwave and kettle $154, coffee table $168 and for utensils and curtains, misc. $192.

Samoa News understands the former tenant has reached out to the local police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Congressman Faleomavaega Eni’s Office for assistance and alleges his properties in the house _— valued at more than $20,000 — were kept by the landlord.

The landowner responded to Samoa News queries, stating that it was out of love he helped the tenant, however the former tenant brought a puppy into the apartment without proper authorization, causing a health hazard for other tenants.

Samoa News was provided with a copy of the Department of Health’s report on the apartment where it indicated that unsanitary practices at the apartment utilized by the former tenant occurred because of the puppy he brought into the apartment, noting he was not cleaning up after the puppy.

The landlord also told Samoa News that the invoice, charging the former tenant for furniture, utensils, etc. is due to the fact the man was suppose to purchase these items — as the house was fully furnished when he moved in. However, he did not, which was why the landlord chose to charge the man for ‘using’ the furnishings.

Samoa News should point out the furnishings are not the properties the former tenant is claiming, which he said are his computer and other equipment.

The landlord in a strongly worded letter to the former tenant stated that he owes money, and his behavior was very unbecoming and rude to the other tenants in the 1602 building.

Samoa News inquired with the landlord as to why he moved the man into the apartment without prior approval, and he responded that it was out of love and pity for this man that he allowed him to move in.

Responding to Samoa News queries on this matter, the DBAS President said that if a project owner or tenant has a complaint, they can talk to DBAS or other authorities, and DBAS will investigate complaints brought to its attention. The DBAS compliance team also conducts inspections, she said. Project owners are aware that 1602 tenants must be both qualified and certified to rent the 1602 units, she stated, adding the qualifications include strict income guidelines.

“To ensure that the tenant is qualified, it is the responsibility of the project owner to submit a complete application with supporting documents to DBAS for review and approval. ”If DBAS learns that project owners are renting units to unqualified tenants, the project owner will be required to remove the tenant. Project Owners who don’t follow the rules can also face corrective action including recapture of the 1602 funds. ” 

She pointed out that if there are questions concerning the program operation, or to report a suspected violation to DBAS, it should be reported directly to DBAS. She also noted that DBAS maintains a website (www.dbas.org)  that explains the program regulations and lists the income eligibility guidelines. There are also copies of tenant applications on the website.