SR390 Building to rent (2020)

Housing affordability issues are adding additional pressure to the rental housing market in New Zealand. The strain this is putting on the housing sector means that previously untenantable housing may be becoming part of the stock. This is particularly concerning for desperate or vulnerable tenants who may be finding themselves with no option but to occupy sub-par housing.

Any improvements that landlords make to their rental housing is unlikely to be recouped through increased rents. Features such as those that would improve energy efficiency are difficult for tenants to judge before occupying the rental property. Tenants are unlikely to consider costs other than rent payments when choosing where they want to rent. This leads to a lack of incentives for landlords to invest in their properties.

See the BRANZ Research Now for a short and accessible summary of this report