August 29th 2017
The Manawatu Tenants Union has been busy working with tenants on the issue of insulation in rental properties.In one case we have been assisting a tenant who rents in Himatangi. She is seriously ill with cancer and wants to live by the sea.She signed a tenancy under the belief that it was going to be long term,she was asked to use her Community Services Card to insulate,she felt under pressure to do this,but she thought it was a long term rental.Once the house was insulated she was given a 90 day notice to vacate by the owner and a property manager from Property Brokers [Foxton ].The tenant used her Community Services Card in good faith,that her home would be warmer and that she had a secure tenancy.She has taken the matter to the Tenancy Tribunal and had her say,the Tribunal ran over time and we are heading back on Oct.3rd to hear what the other party has to say.The house was in appalling condition with rats and other problems which they claim is not true.Will keep you posted when the tenant gets a result.
Another property ,this time in Palmerston North,where the tenant was given 7 days to vacate,after he handed his Community Service Card details to the landlords.He had a Fixed-Term -Tenancy which had sometime to run.He had someone staying in his room which was not allowed so they give him 7 days to get out,no 14 day notice to sort out the breach.The landlords are going to take him to the Tenancy Tribunal over the issue.It's a room by room let which is not in tenants best interests,the other tenants seen to be overseas students with no knowledge of the rights and obligations,they are being taken advantage off,by the landlord's.
We wrote to the Minister and hope to have a word with her when she visits the city on Thursday about bringing some balance into this issue where tenants are not made homeless after agreeing to their Community Services Card being used by their landlord.
