Candidate Alexander Garside answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Wharangi/Onslow Western Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Alexander Garside’s responses in full.

Rapid fire questions

Are you a renter? No
Do you own any properties? Yes
Do you support the Renters United Healthy Homes Commitment? Yes
Do you commit to funding tenant advocacy? Yes
Do you support councils retaining ownership an expanding supply of council housing? Yes
Will you lobby for IRRS to be extended to councils? Yes
Do you commit to densifying inner city suburbs? Yes
Will you commit to using your platform to abolish the ratepayers roll? Yes

Stable homes

What actions would you take to improve stability and security for private renters?
Apart from increasing housing supply, I’ll also endeavour to extend notice-periods for landlords.

How will you ensure all council tenants have security of tenure?
No answer provided

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Wellington?
Increasing public and private housing supply, and supporting the needs of shelters and DCM.

Meaningful enforcement

If elected, would you take steps to tackle persistent bad landlords who do not meet their obligations to renters in your area? If so, what?
Yes, if central government is unwilling to create a landlord registry, we should. If a building can be seized for failure to meet earthquake strengthening standards, other health standards should apply.

What do you think Council should do to address power imbalance between landlords and tenants? If nothing, why?
Financially support advocacy services so they’re resourced enough to meet demand. Another major part of redressing the balance is opening the door to cheap, easily attainable alternative housing options where people want to live.

Fair rent

Would you advocate for additional powers or resources from Central Government to address the housing crisis (such as legislating for Rent Control), if so what and how?
I would advocate for rent control mechanisms, and the construction of additional state housing.

What do you think are the main reasons rents in Wellington are increasing? How would you ensure rents in Wellington are affordable?
Wellington’s rental prices are being overheated by a lack of new supply, the imbalance between low standards for rentals verses high standards for mortgages and a relatively stable state sector propping things up. I intend to increase the supply of council housing and open the door to low-cost options, providing a meaningful alternative to the existing rental market.

Safe and healthy homes

What actions (in contrast to or in conjunction with our Healthy Homes Commitment) would you take to improve the quality of private rental housing in your ward and in your city?
The Healthy Homes Commitment is excellent work, one mechanism to implement could be a vacancy levy so non-compliant homes don’t just sit empty as land-banks.

Anything else you want to share?

An affordable house isn’t necessarily affordable if you’re isolated from community and services, I hope through increasing commerce in residential areas and supporting expanded public transport connections we can make everywhere feel more central.

If you are a candidate or representative of a candidate and wish to correct or elaborate on the information please contact lbe22@rentersunited.org.nz.

Authorised by Geordie Rogers, geordie@rentersunited.org.nz

About the author:

rentersunited

In: Elections 2022, Wellington. .