Manawatu Tenants Union Annual Report 2015
Housing has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the last year.Secure affordable shelter has become a serious issue for a growing number of tenants,and the number of disputes with their landlord has been increasing as well.
Disputes range from : bond refunds, eviction notices,90 day notices,getting repairs done,and indicate a breakdown in communication between landlord and tenant.It seems like class warfare as the disputes escalate,at the end of the day the landlord holds all the cards with their power and control of tenants lives.
The time taken to get a Tribunal hearing takes longer due to the increasing number of renters which puts pressure on the service.The system is working,it just needs reviewed to reflect the change in New Zealand society.Affordable housing shortages in the private sector coupled with a push by Housing New Zealand to evict tenants and to sell state housing to private landlords,will only see affordable disappear from the reach of those who really need it.Many families will likely become homeless,the need for affordable housing has never been greater.The poorest people in our city are increasingly precarious lives,as they struggle to pay their rent and support their families.
In 1995 the Manawatu Tenants Union proposed the introduction of a Warrant of Fitness for all rental properties around New Zealand.The vast majority of sub-standard houses are in the private sector even though the media only pick on state houses when highlighting the poor condition of rental housing,this is misleading. This also gives the present government another reason to sell off all state housing,it is wrong.This a convincing reason for the introduction of a Warrant of Fitness to cover all rental housing.
With housing turning out to the issue of concern among New Zealanders at present and unlikely to go away any time soon now is the time to insist that the housing issues are put right.The Manawatu Tenants Union would like all the political parties to look into setting up a Register of Landlords. This would mean that all those renting housing would be registered with the local authority and they should be of good character etc.Landlords require all sorts of information from tenants,references,credit check,employment status and criminal record if any.Landlord registration will not happen in the short term but will become mainstream in the future,it should be noted renters will out number home owners sometime soon and they are voters.Political parties will ignore them at their peril.
Those of us who work in the social sector have a responsibility to government that present housing policies are not working and its time for rethink on this most important aspect of peoples lives a roof over their heads.
The MTU will hold its AGM on Friday 26th June at 12.00 in the Community House King Street Palmerston North,everyone is welcome.
Manawatu Tenants Union
Interesting to read Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett's comment that tenants were disadvantaged by the present state housing system.I could not agree more,as under this government,Housing New Zealand has become a "no go area"for the thousands looking for affordable housing around the country. Many of these New Zealanders don't have the choice the minister claims.A growing number of New Zealander's live on low incomes and private landlords charge too much in rents.
It should be noted that members of the National Party earn extra income by renting out properties,keeps on increasing.It just highlights that the political class has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo,instead of strengthening the state housing system.
Hi There.
The poorest people in our society are living increasingly precarious lives,and Housing New Zealand tenants are getting a raw deal.
Any affordable housing shortage in the private sector,coupled with a push to evict Housing New Zealand tenants will see more tenants and their families likely to become homeless.Many tenants are likely to be in debt,just meeting their cost of living expenses.
The Manawatu Tenants Union along with other community agencies is seeing increasing numbers in tenants with serious housing needs.The need for affordable rental accommodation has never been greater,yet the government agency Housing New Zealand,refuses to use vacant state houses for those in serious need.
Instead of assisting families they are targeting the poor with eviction notices,Why! The governments housing policies are in melt down,and this situation gives them the opportunity to sell off another state asset,state housing.
It should be noted that government members came from a world that they no longer represent.
Hi There.
The government have little oversight of our housing needs and no coherent national plan for the future of our housing needs,indeed they refuse to say that there is a crisis in the rental accommodation market.When it comes to housing it would seem that housing has an identity crisis,is it a basic human right,like our universal commitment to the right to an education.
The present housing policies are complicated and unwieldy,so much so that the Salvation Army and the Methodist Mission have stated that they will not be participating in any transfer of state houses. This will make the government happy as they will now sell them to private investors,saying they spoke to social housing providers and they rejected the offer to transfer the state houses to their keeping.
There is no doubt about the intentions of the government to remove its self from provision of rental housing at a time when the need for affordable housing has never been greater.
The government have little oversight of our housing needs and no coherent national plan for the future of our housing needs,indeed they refuse to say that there is a crisis in the rental accommodation market.When it comes to housing it would seem that housing has an identity crisis,is it a basic human right,like our universal commitment to the right to an education.
The present housing policies are complicated and unwieldy,so much so that the Salvation Army and the Methodist Mission have stated that they will not be participating in any transfer of state houses. This will make the government happy as they will now sell them to private investors,saying they spoke to social housing providers and they rejected the offer to transfer the state houses to their keeping.
There is no doubt about the intentions of the government to remove its self from provision of rental housing at a time when the need for affordable housing has never been greater.
The Manawatu Tenants Union is setting up a photo exhibition at the PN City Library entitled ''Poverty in the City ''.The MTU would like to speak with people who would be prepered to have their photo taken and provide a short statement on their present circumstances.How much their income,how much rent they pay,the cost of food and doctors visits for them and their children.
If you are interested in being involved,please give me a ring on 06 3577435 anytime and leave me your contact phone number and I will contact you.
Remember Welfare doesn't families-----Poverty does.
Kevin Reilly Manawatu Tenants Union
Community House
King Street
Palmerston North
Hi There.
The Manawatu Tenants Union would like to take this opportunity to thank all the social housing tenants who signed a petition requesting that the Palmerston North City Council retain ownership of its pensioner and social housing portfolio.
The petition was presented to the PNCC community development committee,durning the submissions debate.It was disappointing that Grey Power and a number of church groups did not provide submission on behalf of their vulnerable members.While some councillors want to transfer ownership of the housing portfolio to a trust,the population is ageing and more pensioner housing will be required to meet this demand.
The PNCC councillors set the standards in good landlord practices for the city,private investors take their lead.It is vital that the PNCC retains its good reputation as the leading landlord in the city and retains its vital pensioner housing.
The final decision will be made by PNCC councillors on March 9th,we trust that they do the right thing,in providing leadership in this essential area of community life.We will of course keep you up with the decision they make.
Kevin Reilly
The Manawatu Tenants Union would like to take this opportunity to thank all the social housing tenants who signed a petition requesting that the Palmerston North City Council retain ownership of its pensioner and social housing portfolio.
The petition was presented to the PNCC community development committee,durning the submissions debate.It was disappointing that Grey Power and a number of church groups did not provide submission on behalf of their vulnerable members.While some councillors want to transfer ownership of the housing portfolio to a trust,the population is ageing and more pensioner housing will be required to meet this demand.
The PNCC councillors set the standards in good landlord practices for the city,private investors take their lead.It is vital that the PNCC retains its good reputation as the leading landlord in the city and retains its vital pensioner housing.
The final decision will be made by PNCC councillors on March 9th,we trust that they do the right thing,in providing leadership in this essential area of community life.We will of course keep you up with the decision they make.
Kevin Reilly
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