12 months water penetration forced me out of my unit

Good Luck with this,

You need to do two things. Firstly lodge a written complaint with Housing ACT. Your complaint will be logged and addressed. Secondly, write to the minister. There is nothing government departments hate more than a ministerial. It means the minister is aware there is a problem and takes a personal interest in getting a result. I worked at Housing ACT and a ministerial really gets management’s attention.

You might find you can use the Small Claims Court if you need $ compensation. Free of charge other than a $25 application fee (that amount may be out of date) and the court will insist that the other parties come to a mediation session. They are very considerate of people without legal representation. You can claim up to $5,000 through this avenue. Good luck! Also, make sure ALL your communications with ACT Housing are in hardcopy writing, and cc the minister. They hate that, because they have to respond properly and do something. Phone communication may as well not have happened.

If ACAT has advised you that you need to see a solicitor, maybe go and see LegalAid?

The ACT Law Society also runs a pro bono clearing house which may be able to help you:
http://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/public-information/act-pro-bono-clearing-house

Good luck.

Stand outside the Legislative Assembly entrance with a sign listing your grievances.

Sort of problem your local (legislative Assembly) member should be able to fix.