Tenant’s Protection rental survey “wants the facts” on Christchurch rents…

Christchurch’s Tenant’s Protection Association is surveying renters about the realities of their rents and housing conditions to get hard data on the rental market.

“We want the facts and we are not getting them from anywhere else” says TPA’s Helen Gatonyi.

While media stories of the horrific conditions some post-quake Christchurch renters faced showed the dramatic side of the rental shortage they did not provide the full picture.

Official data was patchy and incomplete and TPA needed to get a more detailed picture of conditions directly from renters.

“We know, and have heard from many others, anecdotally how hard things are so it is important that we try and get as much comprehensive information as possible,’’ said Ms Gatonyi.

That is why TPA is launching a survey of the rising cost of renting, and the quality and standards of rental housing in Canterbury this week.

There were “real horror stories out there” but the quieter stories were just as valid.

“The poor are being pressure cooked into real poverty by rising rents. There are people who are putting off medical care, clothing and food just to make the rent.

“TPA believes that all people have the right to decent and affordable housing”.

Tenants wanting to help TPA get the facts can do so by phoning 03 379 2297, texting 027 379 2297 or getting a copy of the survey from the TPA office at 113 Tuam Street. Or e-mail tpaoutreach@gmail.com
They can also find the survey on the TPA website www.tpa.org.nz or on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/tpa.chch

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