Denis O’Rourke MP
Spokesperson for Christchurch Earthquake Issues
21 November 2012

More Evidence Of Rent Gouging In Christchurch

New Zealand First says more evidence of rent gouging has emerged with a Christchurch family with nine young children landed with a rent increase of $100 a week to take their weekly rental from $460 to $560.

Christchurch Earthquake Issues spokesperson Denis O'Rourke says this vindicates repeated calls from New Zealand First for a short term rent freeze in the city.

“This is irrefutable evidence that rent gouging is continuing as a result of the housing shortage in Christchurch in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

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

“They say they’ve had ‘two years of hell with earthquake after earthquake and now the profiteers seem to be allowed to run rampant’.

“It is high time that Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee abandoned the pretence that the market will control home rents in Christchurch, and take overdue action to impose a short term rent freeze,” says Mr O’Rourke.

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ENDS

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