Letters: A landlord's point of view

Being a landlord doesn't come without a cost. PHOTO/FILE

It was with interest that I read Rod Petterson's thoughts on a drug-free tenancy clause being included in the agreement of rental properties (Letters, November 1).

As landlords my husband and I provide properties that are of a high standard and tick all the boxes for people to live in. This doesn't come without a cost and one would like to think that if you rent a property then you treat it with care and look after it while you are living there. After all it is your home, you have been entrusted to take care of it.

We as landlords are expected to present and rent out houses in good condition, but there seems to be a mental block for some in how they actually treat a property while they are tenants.

With all the new laws that landlords are expected to adhere to there should also be a rethink in what tenants are expected to do. We trust that people who consider themselves to be adults will do the decent thing. This is not always the case.

So with the shortage of rental properties in many areas landlords need to make sure they set the standard of what they expect and don't feel guilty for doing so. Being drug-free and willing to be tested should go without saying in this climate.

RUTH FERREIRA
Rotorua

The cover story of the Rotorua Daily Post (November 2) exclaims "House values soar", while a selection of those who are happily cashing their commission cheques sing about how the property prices increasing is a positive for all.

Meanwhile, turn the page and you'll read about another statistic soaring, however you won't hear anyone singing a positive ditty about the increase in people accessing hardship grants.

Tamati Coffey is right, there seems to be so little done by the current government to address why the need for hardship grants is increasing.

In my view, all you have to do is flick back to the cover story to see why. When property prices are soaring and rents are increasing, people are forced to make tough decisions to ensure they can afford a roof over their heads, like which meal do they skip today. So it's hardly a surprise they don't have money set aside for when the unexpected happens.

So long as we have property investors bidding against each other, pushing property prices further and further out of reach for those who just want somewhere for their family to call home and a government who happily fuels the bidding war instead of building new state homes, nothing will change.

The government must make moves to disincentivise property investment, by encouraging people to invest in sectors which actually increase GDP. Oh and building a couple new homes wouldn't hurt either!

Homes should be for people, not profit.

RYAN GRAY
Rotorua