Christchurch landlords are cashing in on the earthquakes by putting up rents by as much as $250 a week - even for rundown bungalows.

The number of mortgagee sales in the first half of this year is close to figures last seen in the recession in 2009.

The Prime Minister has been asked to investigate one of his MPs after Mt Wellington tenant Joshua Tuitupou claimed National MP Jian Yang told him he had to get a Community Services Card before the MP would get the home insulated.

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Rents in Christchurch have sky-rocketed 26 per cent in the past year, according to Trade Me Property's analysis.

Forty per cent of landlords have increased their rents in the past six months, and many by up to 10 per cent, a survey shows. Another 42.5 per cent of those who had increased rents had done so by up to 5 per cent.