Proposed tenancy changes bad news for city

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Star, The

While some of us are lucky to own our own homes, an increasing number of residents are either renting, or struggling to find accommodation

That’s why last week’s announcement by the National government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act is bad news for those living in or needing rental accommodation.

The proposed changes include reintroducing a 90-day ‘‘no cause’’ termination for periodic tenancies and allows landlords to give notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of the term without a specific reason.

Both of these clauses will make housing less secure for the approximately 30% of Dunedin residents who rent.

A large contingent of these are tertiary students, who regularly secure short-term accommodation in the student quarter.

This move could directly impact students wanting to live and study in Dunedin. It could mean students are kicked out of their flats before the first semester has even ended.

I have already engaged with the Otago University Students’ Association president to oppose these changes.

These announcements also highlight the need for more public housing in Dunedin.

Public housing has always been a key priority for Labour, which is why I am proud to see Dunedin with 79 new public homes built since 2017, and an...