Hon Steve Maharey
Acting Minister of Housing

Big boost for tenancy services

Ministry of Housing tenancy information and education services are to be substantially increased.

Acting Housing Steve Maharey today announced that $1 million is to be spent on the expanded services over the next four years.

“The focus will be on ‘at risk’ groups such as those whose first language is not English. The aim is to get more landlord/tenant disputes resolved without the Tenancy Tribunal needing to become involved.

“Stable housing has positive spin-offs in all sorts of areas – health, education and employment opportunities, for example. Settling disputes early also benefits landlords.”

The money will be used to extend Ministry of Housing information and awareness campaigns, and to increase the number of staff in the Tenancy Services Centre to answer calls on tenancy rights and obligations.

“The demand on these services is very great as the rental market is growing and becoming more diverse. Between 1991 and 2001 the residential rental market grew by 36 per cent or 95,600 households.”

Steve Maharey said Maori and Pacific families, who were over-represented in the rental market, would be a particular target of the campaigns.

ENDS

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