Candidate Jane O’Loughlin answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Jane O’Loughlin’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? No
Will you lobby for IRRS to be extended to councils? Yes
Do you commit to densifying inner city suburbs? No
Will you commit to using your platform to abolish the ratepayers roll? No answer provided

Stable homes

What actions would you take to improve stability and security for private renters?

I am supportive of this but it requires legislation to set the framework.

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

I am open to considering options to improve this.

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Wellington?

Closer engagement with community providers to understand needs, and collaboration with private sector developers and community housing providers to increase supply of suitable accommodation.

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?
I support the Renters’ United idea that council can assist with policing healthy homes standards.

What do you think Council should do to address power imbalance between landlords and tenants? If nothing, why?
I support the Renters’ United idea that council can assist with policing healthy homes standards so that renters do not have to take landlords to the tenancy tribunal themselves.

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?

Yes, open to mechanisms that govern rent rises, for example in line with inflation or due to investment in the property.

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

Rents rose for a short time due to an influx of people returning due to Covid, and also because of high property prices caused by low interest rates, which made people more inclined to put properties on the market (transferring them away from renters). Increased supply and lower immigration has already changed the market and now there is a surplus of rental properties putting a downward pressure on rents.

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 support most of the ideas in the healthy homes commitment.

Anything else you want to share?

I am strongly committed to increasing the diversity of housing in Wellington, and providing affordable housing for lower and middle income residents. I plan to achieve this through a closer collaboration between council and private sector developers, and the creation of an urban development authority, leveraging off the LGWM investments.

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. .