$200-a-week property removed from Trade Me: 'Landlords are struggling' - Stuff.co.nz

Supplied/Stuff

A property in Aro Valley raised concerns when it was listed on Trade Me.

A rental listing in Aro Valley, Wellington, was removed from Trade Me over the weekend over concerns about whether it was compliant.

The property, listed for $200 a week, appeared to be rundown and was highlighted on Twitter by Upper Hutt City Councillor Dylan Bentley.

"It’s just a sad reflection of where the rental and overall housing market is at,” he said.

"Tenants and buyers are having to choose between affordability and decent quality housing. By having such insufficient housing supply we allow listings like this to be serious options."

A spokesperson for Trade Me said it was removed “as soon as it came to our attention”.

She said that properties that were listed on Trade Me had to comply with New Zealand law, including Healthy Homes rules.

“We err on the side of caution and if we have any concerns about any listing on-site we will take action, which might include making contact with the member and/or removing the listing from our site. It is important that when members list properties for rent on-site that they're upfront with prospective tenants and provide images and a detailed description of the property.”

She said the median rent in the area in May was $600 a week.

Wellington property investor Steve Goodey, who is not the owner of the property, said it reflected the current market and how much it cost landlords to rent properties out.

“Landlords are struggling, they’re chasing their tail on profitability. They’re starting to realise that existing homes are bloody expensive to run and own. Insurance costs have gone up 100% and most insurance companies have an embargo on Wellington, they won’t take on new risk. Then you're taking the liability of your tenant having a go at you.”

STUFF

Green Party leader Marama Davidson says many MPs who own homes are keeping the status quo on renting out of self interest.

He said new rules added cost.

“My job is to sell my product to my clients and my clients are my tenants. Every time we have an intervention by the Government and they make us do something the cost goes to the end user, the tenant."

Stats NZ data showed that overall rent prices increased 0.5% in June compared to the month before.

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