A coronial inquest into the death of a Hobart man with a brain injury has heard his housemate allegedly "rammed his head" into a wall at their eastern shore unit in the months before his death.

Key points: The coroner has told the family she suspected Paul Thompson's death was a homicide due to a "direct act" by the victim's housemate

The coroner has told the family she suspected Paul Thompson's death was a homicide due to a "direct act" by the victim's housemate The deceased man was a "colourful character with charisma", his sister says

The deceased man was a "colourful character with charisma", his sister says A neighbour who lived in the same unit complex says she heard "an almighty thump" on the night Mr Thompson died

Paul Christopher Thompson was found dead in his unit in the Hobart suburb of Warrane in January last year.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Jane Ansell, described the 57-year-old as "a chronic alcoholic" who suffered epileptic fits and had a metal plate in his skull from a previous brain injury he had acquired.

The inquest heard Mr Thompson shared his unit with Lawrence Charles Kean, who was later described by several witnesses as "aggressive".

Mr Kean had been charged with manslaughter but later had the charges against him dropped.

Ms Ansell told the inquest a forensic pathologist had identified four possible causes of Mr Thompson's death, which meant criminal charges could not be laid.

Giving evidence, Mr Thompson's long-time friend — who preferred not to be named — described the housemates' relationship as "abusive".

"I knew Paul was going to die from Lawrie," the man told the inquest.

"You could tell Paul was scared, he'd start clamming up but he wouldn't get out. He was a proud person who took the blame himself," he said.

The inquest heard Mr Kean would often brag about punching Mr Thompson in the head.

Paul Thompson was "always close to the sea, always loved to be on an old boat somewhere," his family said. ( Supplied )

The witness told the inquest he had warned Mr Thompson his housemate would "end up killing him" and that Mr Kean had "rammed his head into a wall" in the hallway of their unit in the months before Mr Thompson's death.

A neighbour who lived in the unit complex, Yvonne Caller, told the court she heard "an almighty thump" from Mr Thompson's unit on the night he died.

"He used to kick him, bash him and treat him horrible," she said when describing Mr Kean's behaviour toward Mr Thompson.

She told the court Mr Thompson had told her 20 times that "he had had enough" and wanted Mr Kean to move out.

Mr Kean's defence lawyer Rochelle Mainwaring told the inquest Mr Kean had only admitted to hitting Mr Thompson on two occasions.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart told Mr Thompson's siblings she suspected the incident was a homicide that had occurred from "a direct act by Mr Kean".

Speaking outside the Hobart Magistrates Court, Paul's sister Jennifer Szymkow remembered her brother as "a colourful character with charisma" who was liked by all.

"Paul always looked out for others despite having little himself. He'd give you the shirt off his back," she said.

"He was always close to the sea, he always loved to be on an old boat somewhere … he was a bit of a gypsy, a bit of a wanderer but he'll always be our brother and we miss him," she said.

"No-one's been held accountable for Paul's death and I'm hoping for justice, I can't have closure unless there's justice," Ms Szymkow said.

It was a senseless death that shouldn't have happened to someone in the safety of their own home."

The inquest, which will hear from Mr Kean and several neighbours, doctors and family members, is expected to run until Friday.