Public housing tenant criticises poor maintenance record

Lee Ripley has lived in Orange for five years and said there had been a number of problems with her property.

The latest has been her bedroom flyscreen, which was damaged when the house was broken into in September.

A previous victim of domestic violence, Ms Ripley said it was a security issue.

"It's been six months and it hasn't been fixed," she said.

"I've contacted maintenance about it... but they don't see it as important."

She said she had also reported a faulty showerhead and more than 60 days passed before it was replaced on Thursday - she told Housing NSW on Wednesday she was approaching the media.

"Because we were on water restrictions, it was using more water than it should be using," she said.

"You have to give them 20 days [to respond] and it was 44 days overdue."

Prior to those incidents, she said she had problems with the shower leaking into the dining room, which she said took four years to address, a large tree with overhanging branches and a malfunctioning rear porch light.

"I've rung the ombudsman five times," she said.

"It shouldn't get to that."

Ms Ripley said she had always enjoyed a good relationship with her caseworker and believed there was a communication breakdown between housing staff and maintenance.

"She's pushing and getting nowhere," she said.

"I've always been honest about when I was working, about my animals and my sons - I don't fall behind on my rent," Ms Ripley said.

"If I did, they would take me to the tribunal but I can't get maintenance."

She said other tenants were having similar difficulties and the problem seemed to be centred in Orange.

"I lived in housing for many years and I've never had this much drama," she said.

NSW Land and Housing Corporation chief executive officer Michael Cassel said systems indicated all orders raised in the Orange area were seen to within standard housing timeframes.

"The showerhead was reported to the 24/7 maintenance call centre on April 1 through the tenant manager - LAHC's maintenance contractor attended the home on April 2 to address the issue," he said.

"There were no prior reports to the call centre about the showerhead."

Mr Cassell said flyscreen replacement was usually the responsibility of the tenant but due to specific circumstances, replacement had been approved.

He said housing staff were notified in January and the tenant was contacted on Friday to confirm the replacement.

"The flyscreen replacement is due to be completed by mid-April, which is consistent with non-urgent work timeframes," he said.

He said tenants and members of the public were encouraged to report their maintenance concerns regarding public housing properties to the 24-hour maintenance line on 1800 422 322.