The red zone cordons around quake-damaged Christchurch city centre have been eased further back today.

The manager of Christchurch's Tenants Protection Association says she's not surprised by new figures that show there could be more than 7000 people classified as homeless in the city.

Auckland renters tired of facing crowds competing for the best properties have a new option for securing their dream home - pay top dollar by tender and it's yours.

Editorial: A contributor to our website today suggests an interesting way to make houses more affordable for young people seeking their first homes.

Boutique commercial office space in the South Auckland building that was the childhood home of former Prime Minister David Lange is up for sale.

Landlords increased weekly rents for homes of every size in all but two of Auckland's 30 suburbs, a four-year comparison shows.

Auckland rents are outstripping wages and rising faster than inflation, a four-year comparison shows.

Renters could be in luck, as a turnaround in the market has seen a flood of listings and brought prices to a standstill.

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.

Join us at noon for a live chat with Sorted's David Kneebone. Personal finance, saving money, buying a home - send in your questions.

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.