The Premium Debate: Subscribers have their say on Bay Area families struggling to find rentals

A working mother of two who asked to pitch a tent at campsites while looking for a rental. A father who moved in with his sister in Hamilton and is heading to Tauranga after being
refusal to rent because of the age of his children. And a mum from Rotorua who says it took two months to find a rental that wasn’t ‘run down’, ‘damp’ or ‘mouldy’.

These are just some of those affected by the rental crisis, as estate agents say changes to residential tenancy law have made landlords “stricter than ever” when selecting tenants.

Read the full story here: Families struggle to find homes as landlords tighten tenant criteria

Don’t blame the owners, blame the government.
Darren M

As interest rates continue to rise and non-deductibility of interest takes hold over the next few years, homeowners’ cash flow will begin to take a hit. If there is [are] no capital gains, lots of investors will sell and developers will stop building new offerings. I predict massive rent increases over the next 2-3 years. It’s not rocket science.
Simon A.

The government will regulate property management [companies]. To act as a property manager, you will need to have a license. Logic will dictate that the rent will increase thereafter.
Cindy S

We would be much better off if rental properties were treated as major long-term assets by institutional investors. And that means high-quality apartment building constructions that will stand for 100 years. The rental market is simply too fragmented to be viable; how can people who only have one or two rentals be expected to adhere to complex quality and financial rules? We need massive consolidation to achieve any kind of fundamental change. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to get there from here.
Brian C.

This government ran a smear campaign against the owners in the media for months, before Covid hit, for a reason better known to themselves. I couldn’t understand but realized that I was ashamed to be one after this prolonged daily assault. Many homeowners I know have sold or have vacant properties now, after this latest state slap, after all the others. If rent control is put in place, I predict there will be a drastic, really drastic shortage. My message to this government – Don’t!
Claire C.

I sold my two rental properties. Too hard. The owners bought them so that makes two [fewer] rents on top of rising rents.
Warren B.

Damn I wonder if anyone would seriously still try to blame the last national government from over half a decade ago instead of the current government that did everything they could to kick out mum and dad owners of their business for the past twelve months. It is truly strange how this persistent view of Labor being a better party for low-income people continues to be believed in every election.
Guys

Anyone reading this story may rightly feel degrees of frustration, resentment and anger at National’s policy of selling state rentals without replacement beginning in 2008 during their tenure at the reins of power. National ministers and MPs were warned by so many groups of worried New Zealanders about the obvious long-term effects of their actions, and yet they continued on their merry way of sales, sales and more sales. And now we have the net result… catching up on a set of disastrous policies that have attacked society’s little man. And National’s response? Unfairly blame Labour.
Timothy T.

They are affected as much by an income crisis as by a rent crisis.
Mark A.

Unfortunately, many of these families voted in this government which is now causing them difficulties. Private landlords are selling because of tenancy rules and tax changes that Labor agreed to when they listened to a few cases – not the majority. What you could do is start protesting the warrants in your house, as the new PC police seem reluctant to move these people – worth a try. We can change all that in the next election.
Steven A.

– Reposted comments may be edited at the editor’s discretion.

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