Candidate Jeremy Smith answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Banks Peninsula Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Jeremy Smith’s responses in full.

Rapid fire questions

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

The aim should be owning your own home … when you rent you should understand its not yours but it should be a place of hope and future if your rented place doesn’t meet your requirement .. then get a property you can afford..

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

Hmmm A place has being made for you to rent and it should be limited to avoid the systematic aid attitude when all humans in NZ have the right to own property but if you rent then the property should meet all expectations of a clean/maintained and livable property.. if it doesn’t then slam the landlord not society!

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Christchurch?

What! Get a Governance system that stops RMA to stop development in a timely manager and get rid of Drugs

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 … As long as its qualified …. we don’t have slum lords we have renters that oppose the principle but we also have landlords that need to comply with LEGAL requirements..

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

What a interesting question ..what do you believe the council abilities should be?

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?

No …you are asking questions to give a socialist central governance the right to address a situation which is basically beyond their capability

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

Simple ..more people have to step up and recognise that saving or paying a mortgage is part of your life if you own your own place then you are not renting !!

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?

Allow Renters to develop the house with the owner

Anything else you want to share?

Not really … Renters should be focusing on getting their own places and not buying into the media narrative that owners are evil .. if you want to rent than get to know the owner and all issues can be sorted if not than you have a case!

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. .