Candidate Fiona Bennetts answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Harewood Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Fiona Bennetts responses in full.

Rapid fire questions

Are you a renter? Yes
Do you own any properties? No
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?

I would increase the minimum notice time property owners are required to give tenants when a house is going to be put on the market, giving tenants more time to find another rental property.

How will you ensure all council tenants have security of tenure?

I would increase the length of tenancy agreements and ensure notice periods for renewals are longer.

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Christchurch?

I will support the building of more social housing units and shelters for emergency accommodation. I will employ people to listen to homeless people and help them into temporary or permanent housing. I will work alongside the existing services providing support to homeless people to find out how people slip through the systems currently in place, and try to prevent this happening.

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, I would engage the appropriate law enforcement staff to reprimand persistently bad landlords. I would ensure tenants have access to free legal advice and assistance when required. I would create a register of landlords and ensure their properties and actions undertaken by them or on behalf of them via property managers is timely and appropriate.

What do you think Council should do to address power imbalance between landlords and tenants? If nothing, why?

I believe Christchurch City Council needs introduce rent controls to protect tenants from greedy landlords. I would investigate any law or by-law changes to ensure tenants are not overpowered by landlords.

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 controls and investigate other means to keep rent prices fair and reasonable, including consultation with renters.

What do you think are the main reasons rents in Christchurch are increasing? How would you ensure rents in Christchurch are affordable?

Shortage of decent housing in the desired location or size of housing supply (number of bedrooms, for example).

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?

I would make it easier for renters to report properties that don’t meet the healthy homes standard, and get inspectors out monitoring housing standards.

Anything else you want to share?

No answer provided

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: Christchurch, Elections 2022. .