PHOTO: Landlords
A landlord’s advocacy group says there are no plans to reduce or freeze rent payments despite predictions the coronavirus pandemic will decimate the economy.
Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) CEO Bindi Norwell told Newshub despite the crisis it’s “business as usual”.
“We have not had any feedback via property managers that landlords are considering rental reductions or rent freezes, as rental property owners still have to keep paying their mortgages,” Norwell said on Wednesday.
“However, property managers are obviously trying to remain respectful of any potential COVID-19 effects when following up any rental arrears.”
Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) coordinator Ricardo Menéndez says landlords have a responsibility to ensure people do not end up on the streets if the COVID-19 pandemic affects their income.
“[Landlords] should not be complicit in contributing to the hardship of a global pandemic,” he told Newshub.
“It is imperative to ensure people are not put at risk.”
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