Candidate Kevin List answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every candidate in the Waimairi Ward 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters in their ward. Here are Kevin List’s 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 support central Government rent freezes and the same at a local level (Council owned properties)

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

I support the current governments settings regarding rental tenure.

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Christchurch?

Council does have a role in being more proactive in addressing this issue and could look at other similar sized population centres such as Wellington for examples.

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?

The way for Council to be engaged would be to provide funding for a tenancy advocates service particularly given what has occurred with the Tenants Protection Agency which provided this service.

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

The way to address the power imbalance is through funding for an Christchurch wide advocacy service that provides advice to tenants and can support them.

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 I support legislating for rent control

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

Inflation, the return of students, lack of supply of housing and Air’B’N’B.

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?

Council needs to make sure its own stock is top quality which will lift standards.

Anything else you want to share?

I think the main idea is to get a reasonably funded and staffed advocacy unit up and running. One that should be based in the new Community House which CCC is funding.

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. .