Some Christchurch residents are trapped in unaffordable accommodation unable to move to healthier rental accommodation, to pay for heating or save up for a deposit to purchase a home, according to a survey by the Tenants Protection Association.
The Association wanted to find out the effects rising rental costs are having on tenants and also investigated the state of rental housing to inform the community and influence government agencies responsible for housing.
More than 85 per cent of tenants in the Greater Christchurch Area have been badly affected by rent increases. Seventy per cent of tenants have had their rent increased over the past two years, averaging an extra $43 per week.
The survey found that nearly 60 per cent of tenants pay over 40 per cent of their annual income in rent. Many were living in poor conditions too: half of all tenants report mould in their dwellings and less than half of all tenant households are insulated.
The report identified the consequences of the lack of affordable housing including:
- people being stuck in rental properties unable to afford heating and other things, unable to move to somewhere cheaper because of letting costs etc
- people staying unwell because despite medical advice they cannot afford to move to healthier homes
- People moving away from the city and commuting
- Added stress
- Homelessness
The report makes a number of recommendations including:
- Rent stabilisation
- Abolition of letting fees
- Need for reasonable grounds for terminating a lease
- Warrant of Fitness for all residential rental properties
- Register of Rental Properties and landlords to monitor rental housing quality
To view the full rental survey report and recommendations.
