THE NATIONAL HOUSING CORPORATION (NHC) has warned of tough action against any tenants or other clients who violate contractual arrangements.

"In cases where we have investigated (alleged breaches) and our intelligence confirms there are problems, we will take the appropriate action," deputy general manager of the corporation, George Edghill, said yesterday.

"I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the public who may be aware of tenants breaching the regulations to contact Mr Vincent Alleyne, the general manager, or me with the relevant information, which would be kept strictly confidential. . . . We want to recover any such units to assist in our housing exercise."

Edghill was commenting on the NHC's action against a client who sublet a three-bedroom unit in Silver Hill, Christ Church, contravening the NHC agreement. The unit, normally rented at $140 monthly, was reportedly sublet for $750 monthly.

The NHC said it had also discovered that the client owned and occupied a property in Briar Hall, Christ Church, and this ran counter to the NHC's policy on renting or selling its own property.

The NHC has responded by changing the locks on the Silver Hill property and withdrawing an offer to sell the client this property.

Edghill explained that the NHC had a policy of assisting people renting its units in obtaining land so they could build their own houses "and move on".

He said the NHC had been in the worrisome position where some magistrates had made a strong case for assistance to a number of Barbadians and the corporation could not positively respond because of a shortage of units.

"We need to be able to help make some dent with persons who are in dire need and not offer any comfort to people who are seeking to profiteer," Edghill commented.

The client in question declined to comment, beyond saying her lawyer was taking a close look at documents from the NHC and a decision would be taken later. (TY)