March  22nd  2018.

Letting Fee's

At long last there is legislation being introduced to Parliament to ban letting fee's when seeking rental housing.This bill will bring New Zealand in line with many other similar countries around the world on the issue of letting fee's.The Manawatu Tenants Union has always spoken out for the removal letting fee's as it a service landlord's should be paying for.

At present tenants have to come up with 2 weeks rent in advance and in most cases 4 weeks bond plus connection fees for power.The present Government recognises that the ban will go a good way to assist struggling families in particular.It should be noted that the fee is 1 weeks rent plus GST. Every little bit helps when seeking affordable rental housing.

Here in Palmerston North to move into an average 3 bed roomed property it will set the tenants back at least $2,400 just to secure a property.So removing the letting fee will be of great help to those seeking affordable rental housing,so good on the present Government for assisting the increasing number of New Zealander's who have to rent their home for them and their children.

Lets hope that some form of regulation concerning property managers is not to far away,and it  will assist in the balance of power and control that property managers have over their tenants lives.

 

Have just read an article in the newspaper concerning unclaimed bond monies around $37 million.The Manawatu Tenants Union along with other housing groups,would like to see some of this unclaimed tenants bond money returned to tenants groups,after all it is tenants money.This issue has been around for a very,very long time,a little bit of this massive unclaimed money could go to support tenants groups deliver better education  advice and information services to tenants.Like I said this issue has been around a long time and we have it brought to the attention of all political parties to no avail to date.But as a tenants group we like tenants are used to being ignored,it just falls on tin ears,as renting is on the ascendancy in this country.It is time for government to reconsider looking at the issue of returning tenants money to housing groups who work on their behalf in seeking a fair deal in the rental market.

Which leads nicely on to the issue of the behaviour of property mangers,the time has also come for them to be regulated as many make life hard for their tenants with their power and control over the lives of tenants. Tenants need a fair good over bully boy tactics used towards them if they complain about stuff that needs fixing.The MTU would be interested in hearing from tenants who have or are having bad experiences from their property manager,as we intend to get the law changed to have property managers to be more accountable to tenants.

So if you feel like it just give the MTU a ring on  027 5422 071 or call into the office we will not give your name or address to anyone,we just need to find out just how big the problem is.The introduction of a licence is needed now as the growth in tenants is set to only increase significantly over time.So be part of the solution and contact us,OK.

March 21st 2018

Hi There,the MTU has had a few computer issues which has lead to our lateness in getting onto our blog,sorry.

The Palmerston North City Council has just released its 10 year plan for the city'' What's the big Picture'',get a copy from the city council it's free to everyone.It is well worth a read,and let's you know what the council plan's to do to make Palmerston North a great place to call home.

Housing get's a mention as the city council plan to introduce market rents for its pensioner flat's,so let the councilor's know your views on this serious issue,they are there to assist you on any issue.Remember we the residents pay their salaries through the rates and everyone contributes to the rate's not just property owners,OK.

The Palmerston North City Council [PNCC]plan to implement market rents for it's pensioner flats,so that the income will be ring fenced to build more units,take's a bit of believing.

They are using the notion of building more unit's as a way to move to market rents without causing outrage in the wider community.It's their way of achieving the goal of increasing pensioner rents,sitting tenants will be excluded from the increases,only new tenants will pay the market rents.

The PNCC record to date on its commitment in building new council housing is not great.But to there credit they are good landlords who set the bench mark for the private sector,and have not sold their housing stock despite the pressure from previous councilors to do so. The PNCC at present seem's to see it's pensioner housing as a commodity and not a necessity,the proposed move to market rents tends to confirm this view.

So ring the mayor's office [06 3568199]to voice you concern's, this will impact on pensioners no matter what financial help is available to them,they will be paying more rent from their own pockets.

Market rents for state housing introduced by the National Government was a disaster for all concerned,this will go the same way.Why should tenants on low income's have to pay for new pensioner units ?.