The Star: May 04, 2023

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Star Thursday May 4 2023 8 NEWS Videos to watch starnews.co.nz/south-today-video Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Housing shortage Real-time tech to monitor Avon River Ōtākaro Orchard gets blue-green roof Proud to be Dutch on King’s birthday Ram-raiders target Hornby Hub Determined to get rid of landmines • By Nikki Preston TENANTS ARE being forced to join long queues to view properties they then miss out on – with many brought to tears over the massive shortage of rental properties in the city. People trying to get a three or four-bedroom home in a decent condition are up against a huge amount of competition and many are having to submit numerous tenancy applications before finally getting a roof over their heads. The number of properties available for rent has dropped significantly over the past few years with the current stock levels of about 600 properties similar to what was available after the earthquakes. In February 2021, there were 2105 properties for rent, but this plunged to 1409 in 2022. By February this year, stock levels had more than halved to 610. Over the past two months, the number has risen slightly to 690 properties for rent in the city. The median rent has also risen by $30- $45 a year. It now sits at $500 a week, Real Estate Institute of New Zealand data shows. Propertyscouts director Ryan Weir said there was a shortage of rental properties with some VIEW: Houses are usually leased within a few days as the number of rental properties continues to fall across the city. PHOTO: GETTY disheartened tenants arriving at their viewings in tears. They told stories of having to queue up with about 40 other people, only to miss out on even talking to the letting agent. Weir has received feedback from desperate house hunters who say “it’s absolutely ridiculous out there” and called the shortage “uncivilised”. Weir said they are getting swamped by applications for Ryan Weir houses in good condition and in a good location. But these properties were usually leased within a few days. Yaldhurst was one of the suburbs performing extremely well in terms of rental demand. Three and four-bedroom properties were in the highest demand, while there was an oversupply of two-bedroom homes due to well-known developers building more of these properties than any others, he said. TRADE TOOLS & CALL IN AND SEE US TODAY! BUFFET OPEN 6 DAYS Tuesday to Sunday DINNER FROM 5.30PM TUES, WED, THURS, FRI, SAT, SUN LUNCH FROM 11.30AM WEDS, THURS, FRI, SAT, SUN SENIOR GOLD CARD DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL PH 386 0088 SUNDAY 14TH MAY 2023 Complimentary drink for Mum Chocolates for the table LUNCH OR DINNER $55 PER PERSON Children normal price Booking Essential @GardenRestaurantBuffet Mon to Fri 7am - 5pm 40 Hammersmith Dr, Wigram Ph 03 982 0443 www.totalsitesupplies.co.nz OPEN 9AM - 4PM, 7 DAYS PH 385 8880 @GBCCHCH Mother's Day High Tea SUNDAY 14 MAY 10:30am - 11:30am & 1:45pm - 3:30pm Bookings required 03 385 8880 $35pp Minimum 2 people Check out our amazing value Tuesday to Saturday $18 LUNCH Specials! THE GARDEN HOTEL COMPLEX, 110 MARSHLAND RD, SHIRLEY www.gardenhotel.co.nz
hurts renters Harcourts Holmwood property management managing director Caroline Register said it was “heartbreaking” to see good applicants miss out on a property. “If you speak to anybody in the rental sector there’s certainly a shortage in Christchurch for sure.” After the earthquakes there were about 650 properties available for rent, she said, and it was hard for people to get housing. The market needs more rental stock to meet demand. “We get multiple applications on a lot of the properties we list.” People did eventually find homes, but Register’s advice to them was to start their hunt early, go to viewings and make sure applications are filled out correctly to avoid any delays. People need rental properties for a raft of reasons, which could include moving into the area, a change of circumstances, or because their current rental property had been sold. In a tight rental market, some people might have also had to compromise on their must-haves and may end up taking one bedroom less or a single garage instead of a double. Bayleys investment sales specialist Angela Webb said rental stock levels are at an all-time low due to investors selling their properties because of the red tape and extra costs. Community organisations had also started renting residential properties at good market rates, she said. This gave landlords the bonus of still being able to deduct tax from the interest. “That’s pulling more stock off the standard rental market as well, so there’s just this short supply of housing.” Rents are also jumping as Caroline a result of the shortage, she Register said. While people are still buying investment properties, Webb said they are looking for where they could add value, such as multi-income properties or one that needs renovating. “If you’ve got a standard threebedroom house rented out to a family, no one wants to buy that. The returns aren’t good enough with what the Government has done with all the expenses it’s costing. The fact that you can’t claim your interest as an expense just costs a huge amount of money – you end up with a massive tax bill.” – NZ Herald Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz THE NEIGHBOUR of a former Christchurch woman bashed in her own Adelaide home has spoken of his shock after walking into a scene “like a slaughterhouse”. Antoinette ‘Toni’ McGraw, 49, originally from Christchurch, and Neil Sieben, 66, were found inside their house last week and rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital for emergency surgery. “There was that much blood on the floor it’s not funny. It was almost to the point where it was like a slaughterhouse,” the pair’s neighbour told 9News. “I went inside and found Toni almost unconscious, blood everywhere . . .” the neighbour said, becoming emotional. He then found his mate NEWS 9 Neighbour’s shock at scene of horror bashing Toni McGraw EVERY DAY more than four bikes are reported stolen in the city, with over $2 million worth of bikes stolen in 2021. To help discourage bike theft, Canterbury police and the city council are teaming up with 529 Garage to provide a free registration scheme. “Registering bikes with 529 Garage will help deter bike thieves and help us to return stolen bikes to their owners,” said Constable Olivia Bensley. 529 Garage is a communitypowered bike recovery service that began in North America and has recently started operating in New Zealand. City council transport operations manager Stephen Wright said authorities have noticed a “prominent decline” in bike thefts overseas in places where the app is used. It works by users entering their bike’s serial number, details of identifying features, and photos of the bike. The record helps police prove a bike Neil Sieben Thursday May 4 2023 The Star Neil in a worse condition than Toni. “They didn’t deserve that, such beautiful neighbours,” another neighbour Meg Rowe said. Police soon arrested 32-year-old Thomas Westcott, a motorcycle mechanic, and charged him with two counts of attempted murder. Police said all parties are known to each other. – NZ Herald App to combat bike theft is stolen – and return it to its owner. When people register with 529 Garage they can get a tamper-resistant sticker with a registration code to place on their bike. The sticker provides a visual deterrent to theft by letting any would-be thieves know the bike is registered with 529 Garage. • Registering your bike on 529 Garage only takes a few minutes and is free at 529garage.co.nz/Chch CARE CENTRE NOW OPEN Rest Home & Hospital Care Memory Assisted Care TELEPHONE 03 351 7764 HOLLYLEA.CO.NZ
Page 1 and 2: Thursday, May 4, 2023 | Christchurc
Page 3 and 4: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star • B
Page 5 and 6: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star Latest
Page 7: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star Latest
Page 13 and 14: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star 13 STY
Page 17 and 18: SENIORS’ LIVING LIFE Thursday May
Page 19 and 20: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star RUGBY
Page 23 and 24: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star 23 ROO
Page 25 and 26: Phil Mauger David Meates The Wizard
Page 27 and 28: Thursday May 4 2023 The Star 27 GIG
Page 29 and 30: Authorised by T Summerfield, 2/142
Page 31 and 32: Showcase your business! 30 Jun - 2

The Star: May 04, 2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?