A couple of days ago Newshub ran these disturbing stories:
‘Predatory’ property managers renting out Auckland garages
A Newshub investigation has revealed Auckland garages are being rented out illegally for more than $400 a week.
In a case that is currently before the Tenancy Tribunal, one property manager is accused of commandeering a garage, converting it and renting it out to separate tenants. … Newshub’s own investigation shows the former garage is consented only for use as a garage and can’t legally be lived in.
…
Former tenant Jacine Greaves says tenants in the garage were “desperate, vulnerable people who had no other choice, people who had hit rock-bottom”. …
And:
Landlords renting out ‘unsafe’ conversions
Auckland Council says there’s been a significant rise in reports of dangerous and unsanitary buildings that are being passed off as rental accommodation.
Auckland Council general manager building control Ian McCormick says the council takes a tough stance on anyone profiting from illegal garage conversions or substandard rentals.
Last year the council issued more than 700 notices requiring owners or landlord to ‘fix’ their properties – most related to buildings being used as accommodation without consent.
But in just the past six months, the number of complaints in central Auckland alone jumped to 750, with a further 600 in south Auckland – almost 500 of which related to unconsented dwellings. …
(Update: Senior cop owns illegal garage rentals)
This is clearly a huge problem, and while Auckland Council may be taking a “tough stance”, WINZ is doing the exact opposite. Last night on RNZ Checkpoint:
Work and Income sent families to garages
Work and Income has admitted it directed desperate people to garages and houses where entire families crowded into a single room, and paid their bonds as well.
A South Auckland property manager, Debbie Widharni Iskandar, rented garages to families for up to $400 a week.
People have told RNZ News today they were placed in those properties by Work and Income itself. …
This is New Zealand in the Eighth Year of the Brighter Future. The government is demolishing and selling state house while WINZ sends families to live in garages. Those who can’t manage even an illegal garage live in their cars, or sleep rough on the streets. If this all doesn’t seem right to you, submit to the cross-party inquiry into homelessness. And you should be working to change the government.
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