July 24th 2018
Just had a look at the latest blog from Real-IQ,a Wellington based property management company that has an interest in encouraging landlords to join them or other property management agencies.Hence they are big supporters of the regulation of property managers,who have an big say in the lives of tenants, the power and control managers have to be taken out of the game and have respect for the tenants who provide them with a reasonable income.
The Renters United gathering in Wellington on July 11th, launched their ''Plan to fix Renting''.Some of the ideas which were mentioned were ''No Clause Evictions'' where the landlord should have to give a reason for an eviction.Also discussed was that a tenant would just have to give 7 days notice to move out,This is not a good idea that would work for everyone,families with school children need longer in a tight rental market to find accommodation in the same neighbourhood. One good thing about the 7 day notice is that tenants do not have to be two rents while securing another rental property.Which is a big issue for tenants.
Rent control was brought into the conversation,with landlords being against any form of rent control.The fact that rents were high and incomes low did not cut it with the landlord set.The accommodation supplement,which is a landlord subsidy already costs the New Zealand taxpayer around $3 Billion and climbing.Some form of rent control will have to be looked at,as the number of people renting is on the move,with more people in rental accommodation than ever before.The culture of renting has arrived in New Zealand after a long period of home ownership which was the preferred option for New Zealanders.
The National / Maori Party /Act government have a lot to answer for the removal of housing policy that worked for the majority of the people of New Zealand,we had one of the highest home ownership rates in the developed world ,now we are at the bottom of the ladder.The gathering was great,a bit like the old New Zealand Network,which was starved of funding by the National led government and died.The Minister of Housing did not like their failed policies to be highlighted by those who worked in the sector. A New Zealand Tenants Union has to be the next step for those fighting for tenants rights and obligations,there is strength in unity to maintain houses fit for purpose at an affordable rent,a living rent.
