Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Manawatū Tenants Support Campaign to Fix Renting

“Manawatū Tenants Support Campaign to Fix Renting”

Date: 11/7/2018 6:00pm
From: Manawatū Tenants’ Union (MTU)

Rising rents, substandard housing, and insecure tenancies are the reality for growing numbers of renters. Proposing common sense change to renting laws, the Manawatū Tenants’ Union is involved in a national campaign launched today to fix renting alongside other community organisations.

MTU Coordinator Kevin Reilly describes how “The Manawatū Tenants’ Union has seen an unprecedented increase in tenants seeking help due to housing disputes, with many made homeless.”

MTU organiser Ben Schmidt states “everyone deserves a secure, safe, and healthy home that they can afford to live in. Right now, too many renters are broke, sick, and too scared to complain in case of retaliation. The campaign to fix renting is a way forwards.”

All homes should be safe and healthy to live in. Current regulations fail to protect tenants getting sick in damp and mouldy homes. We propose that the government introduces a Warrant of Fitness by setting the He Kainga Oranga standard as the minimum for all rental homes, and fund local councils to ensure every home is inspected and compliant before it is rented out.

Renters should feel secure, and the campaign calls for increase security of tenancy. Existing 90 day no-cause evictions refuse people housing stability, and allow exploitative landlords to increase rent and threaten tenants who stand up for their rights.

Rent should be affordable, and the current national average of $475 per week is beyond the reach of many. We call for fair restrictions to rent increases that allow families to stay in housing.

Renters should receive protection of the law. We propose reform of the Tribunal to an investigative model; funding of tenancy advocacy services nationwide; and compulsory licensing and regulation of all property managers.

MTU urges other organisations and individuals to take part in the campaign to fix renting.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.