The Premium Debate: Subscriber views on bayofplentytimes.co.nz

The pressure on the rental market is leading to heated exchanges. Photo / Getty Images

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Abusive texts, swearing over the phone and angry confrontations.

That's the behaviour landlords and rental agency staff say they are having to deal with from angry would-be tenants who miss out on homes as the rental market tightens.

Other hopefuls are offering landlords sweeteners such as six months' rent in advance as they battle for homes and rental costs reach record levels in the Bay of Plenty.

Maybe it's for the best those people aren't selected for the tenancy.
- Mark X

The rental market is getting tighter and tighter. As a property investor, we [are] up against the current Government who made policy changes that make it difficult to be an investor. The issue is the lack of supply. Building more investment properties and homes for first-timers will help alleviate the current market. It won't fix short-term it but it certainly will be better than the situation we're in now.
- Rob W

I feel for the tenants and prospective renters. Four years ago, we listed our property and we got five or six families applying. Recently it was vacated and we listed and had 30 applications in four hours. Kāinga Ora got hold of us and offered a healthy sum for a lease and exemption on the interest tax deductibility - there's no way private renters can compete.
- Jan W

I am moving to Australia in January for better job prospects, and I have no intention of renting out my beautiful little home, that I have worked blood, sweat and tears for, to any tenant that doesn't tick all my boxes. I will most certainly never rent to Kāinga Ora, no matter how much they offer me. I like my neighbours, and I don't want them to suffer with abusive tenants who can engage in disruptive anti-social behaviour without consequence. I would much rather let my property stand vacant than allow dodgy tenants in. With the great Australian salaries, I can afford to do that.
- Sharon R

It's too hard being a landlord now. Fitting out rentals to a standard better then my own home. Completely unnecessary. The removal of interest deductibility and difficulty to remove bad tenants were the last straws. I've now sold mine.
- Andy G

I am a landlord of a single property with the same lovely responsible tenants for five years. When they decide to leave I will sell up. It is just too difficult being a landlord these days, too difficult to move bad tenants on, no tax deduction for legitimate expenses, a general narrative that all landlords are bad. So if I have these views you can guarantee that thousands of other landlords will also. The person that buys my place will most likely be a first-home buyer and it will not go back into the rental pool. The shortage of rental properties will only get worse and rental costs will rise.
- Ga C

This is what comes from a government trying to drive private landlords out of the market. Now that a prospective tenant can't be asked even if they are employed or their age or vaccination status landlords are going to get more and more picky, It would well be worth a person volunteering at least their employment status regardless, you would think it would certainly help their chances.
- Linda B