Hi There.
            How to deal with rent arrears as times get tougher for tenants and landlords around New Zealand.There are always underlying reasons for arrears,apart from the very few who have no intention of paying their rent.

There is this belief that tenants on benefits spend all their money on cigarettes and Sky TV,actually they spend it on the same things we all do,like if the car breaks down or they need a new school uniform or medical costs.We don't need to look at problems,we need to look at solutions together.

If you owe rent it is likely that you owe money to other people,get to a budgeting agency they are free in most cases and are more than able to assist you to get on top of you financial problems.Talk to your landlord if you are having problems with paying the rent,your partner may have moved out or your job has been reduced to fewer hours there are a number of reasons why you are struggling to meet your rental obligations. Talk to your landlord or property manager don't run and hide it is in their interests to keep you in your home if you are a good tenant you always pay the rent and maintain the property,every now and again shit happens its called life.If you have to go to the Tenancy Tribunal because you are 3 weeks behind with the rent and the landlord/property manager are seeking your eviction,get in touch with us Manawatu Tenants Union,Community House 77 King Street, Palmerston North or phone 06 3577435 anytime and leave a message if  I am out of the office.

Don't forget we need to get used to a world where we have less income and it cost landlords more to collect that money,and they may need to support their tenants through difficult times if they can.Some landlords need to change their approach,culture  or they to could get into trouble,both parties should talk to one another and seek a soloution,its in both parties interests.