Government yesterday called on tenants and homebuyers to take responsibility and pay their rent and mortgages or face the possibility of eviction - a move the Opposition claimed was the same as throwing families out on the streets.

During the Budget debate on Housing, Minister Neletha Butterfield, speaking on behalf of Housing Minister Sen. David Burch, said the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) will continue to assist Bermudians with finding affordable housing.

But she said clients had to keep their part of the agreement and not fall behind on their rent.

"If they neglect to do so we will remind them and take the necessary action," she said.

She then listed foreclosure and eviction as part of such "necessary actions", but added she hoped with the message out for people to take responsibility there would be a decreasing need for that.

"The BHC, like the Bermuda Land Development Corporation, believes tenants must be held accountable," she said. When non-payment of rent is the result of irresponsibility on the part of the tenant, it is possible to get help in paying that rent, she added, using the example of a weekly payment programme until the total owed is paid.

"Eviction is a last resort," she stated. "If the tenant is willing to commit to a repayment plan, eviction will be avoided."

Collection of outstanding debts will continue to be a main thrust of the BHC, she continued, adding that two evictions were cancelled last year when the tenants suddenly paid off their debts in full.

"Makes you wonder," she said.

Earlier, she said the Rent Commissioner's department was the first choice for resolving landlord-tenant disputes.

Termination and eviction, she added, were taking place on a regular basis for several reasons, including the tenant's failure to pay rent, other breaches of contract between landlord and tenant, the landlord needing the premises for themselves or a family member or the landlord needing to do renovations on the property.

When tenants refuse to vacate, she said they have the right to a fair and proper hearing before the courts with the final decision to be made by a magistrate.

Shadow Housing Minister Michael Dunkley called the Ministry's position on eviction "cold and callous".

And regarding those who, when faced with eviction suddenly paid their debts in full, Mr. Dunkley said: "Threatening people with eviction is a good way to get some to pay," adding he had heard rumours of "loan sharks" circling the Island.

"I recall vividly the cry from the PLP while in opposition ... that only 25 percent of one's monthly wage should go towards a monthly rent," he said. "I ask now, what happened to that robust and constant call?"

Although several of those making that call were now in Cabinet and had the power to take action, he said, there has been no such action. "They created a false hope for a lot of people.

"Instead of helping people in need they are causing further hardship to our people in need by evicting them," he added.

"Under the Smith Government the approach is to evict if all is not paid up immediately. This policy cannot work. These people need help in learning how to allocate finances. If they are evicted the BHC loses the money owed and a family is on the streets. Then whose problem is it?"

Calling for Government to say just how much is owed to the BHC in rent and what systems are in place to chase up rent, Mr. Dunkley also said the emergency housing list had grown under the Smith Government.

"What positive steps has Government taken to reduce this list?" he asked. "We have heard this list has been reduced as of late, but I have detected no ease within the community.

"Is this again just a clean-up before the election?" he wondered.

Delaey Robinson (PLP) said the mounting arrears facing the BHC were not the result of PLP Government mismanagement, but were leftovers from the days of the UBP Government.

"We cannot live with being a paternalist government of the old school, we are very much new school," he said, adding the public must take responsibility and pay their bills. "The sentiments of the general public are in support of this approach."