TIME TO REGULATE PROPERTY
MANAGERS
FIX PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
A bad property manager can make life hell for renters. Currently there is zero regulation around property management, and anybody can call themselves one from one day to the next. We think that’s wrong, which is why we’re campaigning hard for a new bill that holds property managers accountable and sets minimum standards.
TENANCYHELP – KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, BACK YOURSELF
We’ve launched TenancyHelp – a free tool built by renters, for renters across Aotearoa.
Whether your landlord just raised the rent, won’t fix the heat pump, or is ignoring your rights – TenancyHelp gives you the knowledge and tools to push back. Instantly draft letters, find Tribunal decisions, get answers, and stand up for your rights.
It was created by one of our own, tired of being pushed around – and it’s here to help every renter across Aotearoa.
Explore TenancyHelp →
LET’S ABOLISH THE RATEPAYERS ROLL
We want to fix renting in Aotearoa, but we can’t do that if our voice is diluted in elections. Right now, it’s one rule for renters and another for landlords.
In 2016 one landlord voted in seven separate local elections. We believe that each person’s vote is equally important. We did away with property-based voting rights for national elections in 1893. It’s time that local government caught up.
Sign the petition →
We think every renter
should have the right to:
Stable homes
A secure and stable home is essential for wellbeing. Renters should not fear eviction for reporting problems, or for reasons outside our control. Instead we should be able to make our rented property a home. It’s time to change the perception of renters as visitors in their communities who can never put down roots. Introducing security of tenure will reduce transience, strengthen community engagement, improve educational outcomes and give renters the protection we need to raise the quality of our homes and the housing stock in general.
Fair rent
Everyone should be able to afford a decent place to live. Renters should not face frequent, unpredictable rent rises that compromise our ability to realise our right to a home. Instead, renters should know that our rent has been set fairly and that it isn’t the result of landlords exploiting supply shortages or other factors.
Safe and healthy homes
All rental housing should be warm, healthy and safe. Much of our private rental housing stock is cold, drafty and poorly maintained. Even where higher legal standards do exist, the burden of enforcing these standards falls on individual renters. Poor quality rental housing makes renters sick and costs our health system and economy hundreds of millions of dollars every year. We need higher standards that are properly enforced and we need them now.
Meaningful enforcement
The system to sort out disputes must be fair, timely and well-resourced. The current system relies on renters with endless time and energy to invest in sorting out problems, despite the inherent power imbalance between renter and landlord. When we do stick up for ourselves, we risk damaging our relationship with our landlord, our chance of finding another rental and our own wellbeing. We need better mediation services and tenancy advocacy services, a Tenancy Tribunal that enforces the law, and proper regulation of property managers and landlords.