Rates activist Penny Bright secures last-minute respite from forced sale of her home

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Penny Bright has been awarded a brief injunction, temporarily stopping the sale of her house by Auckland Council.

Auckland rates rebel Penny Bright has halted the forced sale of her home for three days, following a High Court ruling.

Auckland Council is trying to force the sale of Bright's Kingsland home, saying Bright owes it $34,000 from 11 years of unpaid rates.

Bright's house was scheduled to be sold by tender at 4pm on Tuesday, but the sale was halted by the interim injunction granted by the High Court.

Pending further orders, Auckland Council shall take no further steps to effect the sale of the property, the order said.

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'It is a load off my mind and body to have this sale stopped,' Bright said.

'It is the most draconian form of bullying, this is ridiculous.'

Bright has until Friday to file a request for a judicial review.

She said she bought her home in 1990 for $144,500. Currently it is valued at $1.4 million.

Bright has refused to pay the rates in protest at various transgressions she alleges against the council — all of which have been rejected by the council and courts.