Following on from our blog about rogue landlords,we have just read in the paper that rental agencies in Christchurch have decided to charge a fee to renew their tenancy agreements with their tenants.Letting fees were designed  for agents to cover the cost of setting up a tenancy agreement.There is absolutely no administration involved in renewing a tenancy agreement except changing the date of the agreement.We have heard that some tenants are faced with bills of around $1000,many agents were opting for shorter tenancies so they could get more fees.

All tenants can do is take an application to the Tenancy Tribunal  Clause 85 The Tribunal shall determine each dispute according to the general principles of the law relating to the manner and the substantial merits and justice of the case,but shall not be bound to give effect to strict legal rights or obligations or to legal forms or technicalities.

But at the end of the day its about greed and power, landlords have it tenants don't,many tenants are afraid to complain in case they lose their home and are  blacklisted by a cabal of landlords.The Real Estate of New Zealand have been approached by the St. Vincent De  Paul Society to get an answer to this issue caused by its membership,they do have a code of ethics lets hope they  practice good will on this serious issue,which impacts on the majority of families who rent their homes.To date they have not made any comment ,so if this happens to you take an application to the  Tenancy Tribunal you have everything to gain,we will be keeping an eye on this issue  if this practice spreads like a cancer around the country.The Minister should nip this practice in the bud it is antisocial behaviour towards tenants,and the wider community.