Some Christchurch renters fleeing the shaken city are getting little charity from landlords, who are trying to keep them locked into contracts.

Billboards showing homeowners exactly how they can make big bucks during the Rugby World Cup are attracting some of Auckland's best properties.

Auckland's rental crisis is worsening, with prices rising 7 per cent in a year and desperate tenants going to extreme measures including offering to pay six months' rent in advance.

Flat-hunters and those wanting a flatmate have been conned by scammers who lure their victims into sending money overseas.

Rental prices have risen in many areas of Auckland over the past year with a real estate agency expecting another surge because of a shortage.

Demand for rental property in Auckland is at crisis point, with some houses now attracting as many as 200 would-be tenants.

The Kiwi dream of owning a home is long gone for many, and now the chances of a decent rental are fading.

Dozens of homeowners are asking more than $20k a week in rent for the RWC with at least one website threatening to remove some listings.

The Government hopes it will be able to give thousands of Canterbury property owners in the worst earthquake-hit areas some idea of what the future holds by the middle of next week.