Welcome to 2016.Lets hope that things improve for tenants in New Zealand and that they find decent and affordable housing.So far it would seem that that will not happen as Auckland landlords are set to increase their rents to average $500 per week.Auckland sets the rental market prices so we can expect the rest of the country to face large increases in rents.Taxpayers will pay more in subsidies to private landlords,the $1.3 BILLION paid at present will only increase substantially in the coming months.The New Zealand taxpayer is entitled to know that their contribution to housing,is supporting decent affordable housing that is fit for purpose,this is where a Warrant of Fitness would provide evidence that taxpayers were getting value for their contribution to private landlords.It could also act as a reference for the landlord that the tenants were dealing with a professional landlord who respected their right to decent,affordable rental accommodation. These ideals in the rental market will happen at some future date,it is up to tenants to insist that they get value for their rent money.
