Hawke's Bay has turned into a renters' nightmare as a housing boom and an influx of professionals and families put a tight clamp on the property market.
Monday, August 16th 2004, 6:56AM
by The Landlord
Prices of rental homes and units are skyrocketing as a result of higher property values and Hawke's Bay's growing popularity as a place to live.
Hawke's Bay Realties Napier property manager Katrina Mortensen said there had been an influx of families and executives shifting to the region from areas such as Wellington, Auckland, Taupo, Nelson and overseas.
"There is definitely more demand, and that is the underlying problem. We need more rental housing to become available."
People were looking for good family homes with garages, but there was a scarcity of long-term rental properties. A typical three-bedroom home with a garage in Taradale was fetching $250 to $280 a week.
