Christchurch landlords are turfing tenants out of flats in a money-making move that dodges rental laws, a tenants' protection group claims.
Sunday, February 29th 2004, 12:08PM
by The Landlord
It says the number of tenants being served 90-day eviction notices is soaring as landlords move to oust low-paying or undesirable renters, and take advantage of a rental housing shortage.
Tenants Protection Association spokeswoman Helen Gatonyi claims the 90-day notice period is a "quick fix" for landlords unhappy with their tenants or who were dodging the Residential Tenancy Act.
Under the law, a landlord cannot increase rent more than once every six months (180 days). If landlords are not willing to wait 180 days to raise the rent again, they can give 90 days notice and evict the tenant.
"This is happening a lot. Our records show it has been really increasing over the last four months or so.
