December 18th, 2024
The Government’s new legislation permitting landlords to terminate tenancies without providing a reason has sparked significant backlash, particularly among the 1.4 million renters in New Zealand, according to a Green Party media release.
Green Party Housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul criticised the move, labelling it as favouritism towards property investors over renters.
"This Government is well and truly in the pocket of landlords. This comes at the expense of people who rent their homes, who are paying a severe price," Paul said.
She said that the legislation disproportionately benefits property owners while undermining the security and stability of renters.
Paul highlights the human impact of no-cause evictions, questioning how renters are supposed to establish stable homes, raise families, or enjoy retirement when faced with the constant threat of arbitrary eviction.
"Housing is a human right. How are people supposed to start a stable home and settle down, raise families or enjoy retirement when they are constantly in fear that their landlord might kick them out for no reason?" she asked.
The introduction of no-cause evictions is expected to exacerbate housing insecurity for thousands of renters. Paul said that requiring landlords to justify evictions was a necessary step towards balancing the power dynamics between renters and landlords.
"No-cause evictions will create housing insecurity for thousands of renters, with the power to push people out of their homes being left to the whim of a landlord," she said.
In addressing the broader housing crisis, Paul criticises the Government for prioritising profit over evidence-based solutions.
"The housing crisis is real and we will need real solutions to address it. The Government is once again favouring profit over evidence as it pursues yet another policy that has been tried, tested and proven to fail," she said.
In her closing comments, Paul emphasises the disconnect between the Government's policies and the realities faced by everyday people, particularly in the context of rising living costs and stalled public housing projects.
"This is a move by a Government so completely out of touch with the reality of the people. This increased housing insecurity for renters comes at a time when people are struggling under the cost of living. Not to mention, they’re gearing up to sell and delay public housing build programmes which is the only other alternative to private rentals," she said.