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NZ First calls for rent freeze in ChCh

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NZ First calls for rent freeze in ChCh

3News NZ

Rent gouging in Christchurch is continuing unabated and the Government must order a freeze, NZ First says.

The party has previously appealed for action but ministers say more houses are being built and the problem will ease.

NZ First's earthquake issues spokesman Denis O'Rourke says he has evidence of a family with nine children which has been landed with a rent increase of $100 a week, taking their weekly rental to $560.

"This is irrefutable evidence that rent gouging is continuing as a result of the housing shortage in Christchurch in the aftermath of the earthquakes," he said on Wednesday.

"The family concerned will struggle to afford such an unconscionable hike in their rent."

Mr O'Rourke wants Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee to use his special powers granted by Parliament to impose a rent freeze.

"It's high time he abandoned the pretence that the market will control home rents in Christchurch, and take overdue action."

NZN

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Comments

22/11/2012 11:45:21 a.m.

Jay wrote:

I agree a rent freeze should be put in place in Chch. Gouging - no wonder our Insurance is going up. When one has to move out of their home, while repairs are being carried out, the Insurance company is paying $180.00 per night for that family to move into a rental for that time. One of these rental properties, not far from me was rented by a couple for 5 years, and in April this year they were given notice for no reason, apart from family may need it, and it took the couple 3 months for find somewhere to live, that they could afford (around the $300 pw).This property is now being rented to people who are having their homes repaired. The first family, had their repairs done quicker than anticipated and the place was empty for 4 weeks. The 2nd family moved in on planned date, and moved out 3 weeks later, and so on. The property is now earning $1260.00 per week paid for by Insurance.

22/11/2012 9:57:29 a.m.

johnno wrote:

@Mike..easy to see which side your bread's buttered on

22/11/2012 7:14:56 a.m.

Mike wrote:

If Peters wants a freeze, he needs to apply a freeze to Earthquakes too.

Just put an opposition useless piece of legislation in to ban earthqaukes!

Peters is old school, wants a price freeze.

The reality is without a price freeze, lowering of the NZ$ will just see inflation move to close the gap on any dollar devaluation, with unions demanding wage rises to cover the inflation, so the working NZ who are not union, like farmers with already low average incomes for decades will get squeezed into selling to overseas buyers.

Peters wont come clean in the media. Plus price freezes dont work.

Labours policy is print money, devalue the dollar, lower real wages, get high inflation. Peters hasn't said to print money, but thats is also how he would lower the dollar. But where Peters policy is different, is he wants a price freeze (starting with rents in Christchurch) to artificially stop wages rising and curb some of the inflation caused by printing money and devaluation. It wont stop much inflation, like any imports, plus anything we export which has prices set by international prices - ie anything NZ made like Dairy.

21/11/2012 10:26:34 p.m.

Carlos wrote:

Its called the free market. Move somewhere else if you can't afford it. Who the hell would want to live in an earthquake zone anyway ?

21/11/2012 8:57:48 p.m.

nancy wrote:

How about 'rent freeze' in all towns and cities for 5 years?

21/11/2012 2:09:47 p.m.

Jonathan wrote:

The only reason NZ first wants to freeze everything is they are stuck in a timewarp and wish time was frozen in the 1950's and 60's when their voters were in their heyday. Also sorry but if perhaps they hadn't had 9 children they would be able to afford the rent?

21/11/2012 1:40:03 p.m.

chris Johnson wrote:

Absolutely agree. Even the lowly caravan parks are into gouging for disgusting offerings. All tourist take note ,completely bypass ChCh- and Queenstown. Chris

21/11/2012 1:00:15 p.m.

Laurence Fairley wrote:

WE rented our beautiful warm 3 bedroom home to a family for $340 which was the "market" rent for our area of chch. I think if you have nine children, and need a house with a good sized section you would easily find a home for less than $560. Basically anywhere in new zealand the rule of thumb is $100 per bedroom !

21/11/2012 12:53:06 p.m.

Greg wrote:

Brownlee in the government will do nothing, its time to face the facts and move out of CHCH. Auckland facing a media driven seasonal crisis and this is pushing up rent. I might by a pup tent and camp in the graveyards.

21/11/2012 12:38:12 p.m.

don wrote:

A rent freeze in Ch with this Govt??? In your dreams!!