Media Statement For immediate release Thursday, 24 July, 2003

Alexander: Landlord's frustration understandable

The frustration that drove a Christchurch landlord to force tenants from her investment property this morning was utterly understandable, United Future's Marc Alexander said today in renewing his call for a bad tenants register.

"While I would never advocate the breaking of the law, my sympathy lies with the landlord who, when lumbered with tenants who either don't pay up or have a history of trashing properties, is forced to go through weeks of bureaucratic red tape.

"They are supposed to sit mutely by while they are either being ripped off, or having their investment destroyed before their eyes," Mr Alexander said.

"So I think most people would understand and sympathise with the actions of the landlord this morning in evicting these people," he said.

"Again I call upon the Housing Minister Steve Maharey to get serious about protecting landlords' rights.

"It's pretty simple stuff - if they damage property, don't pay rent, breach their terms of tenancy, then they should get the bum's rush. Out. Gone.

"As it is they get warnings, and weeks of delay, in fact they get everything but therapy sessions.

And what does the landlord get? Ripped off," he said.

Ends.

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