Manawatu Tenants Union
Good news about the Warrant of Fitness on the national news today. Auckland,Tauranga,Wellington,Christchurch and Dunedin local government athorities are going to pilot a scheme to make sure that rental properties are fit for purpose.It should be noted that the Palmerston North City Council rejected such a scheme when Jill White was the City Mayor,mind you most of the city councillors were serious landlords themselfs and had a serious conflict of interest which they did not see as an issue. So here we go again lets hope the pilots in the various take off as Generation Rent is here with us and will be with us for sometime way into the future unless there is a change of housing policy or a return to policies that worked in giving New Zealand one of the highest home ownership rates in the developed world.The Manaewatu Tenants Union has pushed for a Warrant of Fitness for the last 20 years or so,it will happen it is evolutionary not revolutionary.
homeless families
Affordable housing is the cornerstone of family life,or so we have been lead to belive.Renting a home in Palmerston North is typically expensive and insecure.The average cost of moving into a house is around $2000.00 [ 4 weeks bond + of 1 weeks rent +2 weeks rent in advance + agents fee +GST ].
The Manawatu Tenants Union has noted an increase in the number of homeless families.Housing New Zealand no longer assist those with serious housing needs.There are at present a large number of vacant state houses around the city,due to a possible earthquake.
The connection between the growing number of homeless families and those state houses laying vacant has yet to register with thepowers that be.Many of these vacant homes could should be used for emergency or short term accommodation for desperate families,until central government decides what to do with vital accommodation.
Affordable housing should shape up to be an election issue.The grime failure of current housing policy,reliant more than ever on the private sector, just reinforces the case for government to invest in a state house building programme.
Poverty is not about a group over there, seperate from us,it is about everyone.There is too much at stake,to ignore the costs both human and financial of the continuing struggle faced by many families.
The Manawatu Tenants Union has noted an increase in the number of homeless families.Housing New Zealand no longer assist those with serious housing needs.There are at present a large number of vacant state houses around the city,due to a possible earthquake.
The connection between the growing number of homeless families and those state houses laying vacant has yet to register with thepowers that be.Many of these vacant homes could should be used for emergency or short term accommodation for desperate families,until central government decides what to do with vital accommodation.
Affordable housing should shape up to be an election issue.The grime failure of current housing policy,reliant more than ever on the private sector, just reinforces the case for government to invest in a state house building programme.
Poverty is not about a group over there, seperate from us,it is about everyone.There is too much at stake,to ignore the costs both human and financial of the continuing struggle faced by many families.
Hi There.
We have heard back from the Ministry,concerning the $50 pre-occupation bond being charged by Redex Properties.They are not going to get invloved on the issue they got back to me stating they have been in touch with Redex,but would not give any details of what was said,sometimes it makes if they did get in touch with Redex as they give no information at all.The Manawatu Tenants Union has written to Campbell Live and Fair Go to see if they are at all interested on this issue,as we belive it has the possibility of becoming normal business practice in the rental accommodation sector.We will keep you posted on the outcomes.
We have heard back from the Ministry,concerning the $50 pre-occupation bond being charged by Redex Properties.They are not going to get invloved on the issue they got back to me stating they have been in touch with Redex,but would not give any details of what was said,sometimes it makes if they did get in touch with Redex as they give no information at all.The Manawatu Tenants Union has written to Campbell Live and Fair Go to see if they are at all interested on this issue,as we belive it has the possibility of becoming normal business practice in the rental accommodation sector.We will keep you posted on the outcomes.
An interesting fact has come to light,is the introduction of a Pre-occupation bond by a real estate company called Redex Properties,this bond is set at $50.The Manawatu Tenants Union is of the opinion that this bond is unlawful and we have in contact with Ministry officals in Wellington,and they stated they will start an investigation into this practice.It costs around $2000 to secure a rental property and this unlawful bond is just another barrier for tenants already struggling to get a home.
If you know of anyone dealing with Redex and have paid the extra $50 bond we would like to hear from them their privacy will be protected,but we need to hear from tenants would have had to pay this bond.
Dont forget to tune into Flatting Today on Access Manawatu on every second Tuesday at 11.30 starting from Oct.8th.
If you know of anyone dealing with Redex and have paid the extra $50 bond we would like to hear from them their privacy will be protected,but we need to hear from tenants would have had to pay this bond.
Dont forget to tune into Flatting Today on Access Manawatu on every second Tuesday at 11.30 starting from Oct.8th.
It has come to our attention that RedEx a property management in Palmerston North,have introduced a re-occupation fee when signing a new tenancy agreement.This is on top of the bond [4 weeks] 2 weeks rent in advance plus the normal 1 weeks rent plus GST which is required to secure the property. The Manawatu Tenants Union has always belived that the landlord should be paying this fee to secure tenants for their property.
The MTU belives that this add on fee is key money and is unlawful,we are in contact with Tenancy Services who voiced concern over this fee. What we need is for tenants who have paid this fee to please contact our office,as we are trying to stop this unlawful act,which just adds more insecurity to those looking for affordable accommodation Phone 06 3577435 anytime OK.
Kevin Reilly Manawatu Tenants Union
The MTU belives that this add on fee is key money and is unlawful,we are in contact with Tenancy Services who voiced concern over this fee. What we need is for tenants who have paid this fee to please contact our office,as we are trying to stop this unlawful act,which just adds more insecurity to those looking for affordable accommodation Phone 06 3577435 anytime OK.
Kevin Reilly Manawatu Tenants Union
Affordable housing in Palmerston North
The housing sector is undergoing the most turbulent economic,political and social period in recent history.Here in Palmerston North,housing is a hot issue.The Salvation Armys Womens Hostel is closing down due to funding issues.HNZ is reducing the number of state houses in the region due to earthquake risk,which appears to be the line the government is pushing,as it exits out of the provision of social housing.It sould be noted that none of the housing set to be domlished,will be replaced,which is bad news for the affordable housing sector.
Housing is the cornerstone of family life. Housing conditions,quality and tenure have far reaching impacts on us and the wider community.Housing factors do impact on a range of outcomes including health,wellbeing,education and other adverse life outcomes.
Lower rents are important in reducing poverty.The private rental accommodation market in New Zealand controls around 85% of all rental accommodation around New Zealand.The state has been decreasing its involovement in public housing for sometime,it has become the provider of last resort and even then there is no guarntee that they will house those in difficult times.
While the only choice for many, is rental accommodation,affordable accommodation is a real issue and will continue to be so.All political parties must recognise that solving our present housing affordability crisis is as fundamental as health and education. Generation Rent is now well established,more investment in affordable housing is required NOW not in the distant future.
The days are gone when peoples biggest asset was their home,now it is their car.
Lower rents are important in reducing poverty.The private rental accommodation market in New Zealand controls around 85% of all rental accommodation around New Zealand.The state has been decreasing its involovement in public housing for sometime,it has become the provider of last resort and even then there is no guarntee that they will house those in difficult times.
While the only choice for many, is rental accommodation,affordable accommodation is a real issue and will continue to be so.All political parties must recognise that solving our present housing affordability crisis is as fundamental as health and education. Generation Rent is now well established,more investment in affordable housing is required NOW not in the distant future.
The days are gone when peoples biggest asset was their home,now it is their car.
Times are getting tougher,and winter is still to arrive,when there is more pressure on the houshold budget.The Manawatu Tenants Union,is seeing an increasing number of tenants facing eviction on various grounds,in most cases young children are involoved.This problem of evictions is being duplicated all over the country.Here in Palmerston North,there are numerous vacant state houses which could be and should be used to house evicted families in the short term.
The bottom line is that there is not enough affordable housing available.The rationing of state houses,means some families will lose out and some will not even get access to affordable housing in the private sector.
Its not rocket science to see where that takes us.
The bottom line is that there is not enough affordable housing available.The rationing of state houses,means some families will lose out and some will not even get access to affordable housing in the private sector.
Its not rocket science to see where that takes us.
Hi There.
We have heard back from the Minister of Housing requesting more information from the Offical Information Act 1992 on the reports done on the ,Housing New Zealand housing portfolio here in Palmerston North,they have requested a 20 day extension,so we will keep you informed when we next hear from HNZ.
The Labour Party have a new Shadow Minister of Housing Phil Twyford,so we will be keeping an eye on his views and vision for the rental sector in New Zealand and Generation Rent.
We have heard back from the Minister of Housing requesting more information from the Offical Information Act 1992 on the reports done on the ,Housing New Zealand housing portfolio here in Palmerston North,they have requested a 20 day extension,so we will keep you informed when we next hear from HNZ.
The Labour Party have a new Shadow Minister of Housing Phil Twyford,so we will be keeping an eye on his views and vision for the rental sector in New Zealand and Generation Rent.
The Manawatu Tenants Union wrote to the then Minister of Housing Phil Heatly,requesting,under the Offical Information Act 1992,information on: 'theseismic activity reports,carried out on behalf of Housing New Zealand,in Palmerston North'.
We were informed that the Corporation is carrying out detailed desktop seismic assessments on all residential properties intially identified as earthquake prone.As at Dec.24 2012 ,21 state houses in Palmerston North had been confirmed as being earthquake pron,and 4 had been confirmed as an earthquake risk.We replied thanking them but we would still like to sight the actual reports,I have written to the new Minister Nick Smith asking him todo what he can to d]get the reports to the Manawatu Tenants Union,as soon as possible.We will keep you ted on the outcoposme.
We were informed that the Corporation is carrying out detailed desktop seismic assessments on all residential properties intially identified as earthquake prone.As at Dec.24 2012 ,21 state houses in Palmerston North had been confirmed as being earthquake pron,and 4 had been confirmed as an earthquake risk.We replied thanking them but we would still like to sight the actual reports,I have written to the new Minister Nick Smith asking him todo what he can to d]get the reports to the Manawatu Tenants Union,as soon as possible.We will keep you ted on the outcoposme.
Here are the the main points from the main political parties on the housing crisis.These were taken from a statement from Community Housing Aotearoa in their Doorways newsletter.
National Party
Build 2000 housesover the next 2 years.
Free up land to make it available for building more homes.
Work with local authorities to streamline processes.
Labour Party
Put 100.000 families into their first home.
Invest in a large scale 10 year building programme of entry level houses.
Introduce a Warrant of Fitness which means every landlord have to ensure every rental property is a healthy home with proper insulation and heating.
Green Party
Increase acquisition and building of state housing units by at least 3,000 units a year for the next 3 years.
Provide funding to third sector housing organisations.
Remove legal and institutional barriers to the to the development of co-operative housing,eco-villages self-built,sweat equityhousing,shared ownership and papakainga housing.
New Zealand has a serious housing problem so the above ideas are worthwhile as a large scale state building programme is required,it is as simple as that.But at the end of the day politicians both local and central really dont understand,peoples struggles to keep a roof over their heads,as they themselfs are insulated from it by wealth,expenses and unfair perks.So we will be keeping an eye on what they do not what they say.
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