The Mape family, who were found to be living in an office block in quake-stricken 61 Molesworth St in Wellington, have had some of their belongings saved during the building's demolition.
Olive and Earnest Mape say property manager PrimeProperty Group was charging them $300 a week to live in a section of the office building, which was badly damaged in the November 14 earthquake.
The family were among a group of tenants living illegally in the building, despite it not being registered for residential tenancies.
The displaced tenants have not been allowed to go back into the condemned building to retrieve any of their belongings, but today the Mape family received a small amount back.
Wellington City Council building consents and compliance manager Mike Scott said the demolition contractors had been able to get a small amount of material out of the building during the course of the demolition.
``We ended up getting a very small amount of material, property out from that abode on the first floor,'' he said.
``The reality of it is is that the contractors made their best efforts but due to the danger of the building, there was very little that could be moved.''
The belongings were returned to the Mape family this morning, who were ``obviously still unhappy and disappointed with the situation''.
The council's welfare team continues to work with the Mapes and other people affected.
