Newcastle family cornered in bedroom by tenants who won't pay or leave
Katrina was charged with common assault and stalking after a confrontation with her landlord over rent and eviction.
Skye and Min rented two spare bedrooms to Katrina Steadman, her partner and their adult son nearly two years ago to ease financial pressure. The arrangement broke down when the tenants stopped paying rent and refused to leave, even after a court order to vacate.
A disagreement over a power bill triggered a confrontation that escalated into physical violence. Katrina allegedly grabbed Min by the neck and hit him in the kitchen.
Police charged her with common assault and stalking or intimidation. The family began sleeping together in one bedroom because they were afraid in their own home.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal ordered the tenants to leave by last Friday. They had not departed when the case was reported.
- Nearly two years
- Duration of rental
- Two spare bedrooms
- Tenants rented
- Newcastle
- Location
Why it mattersLandlords who rent rooms within their home have fewer legal protections than traditional landlords. This case shows the risks when informal arrangements break down.
AustraliaNSW families considering renting spare rooms face a cautionary tale about tenant rights, lodger protections, and the difficulty of eviction.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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