The Greens chaotic thinking over rent controls

In its latest attempts to push rent controls, the Greens say rent increases should be limited to 3% a year, a claim which has been ridiculed and angered landlords.  

Across the country, the overwhelming bulk of rental accommodation is provided by the private sector. About 40% of Kiwis live in rental accommodation and this number has been consistent over several census periods despite the sharp rise in the overall population over the past couple of decades.

Exact rental house numbers aren’t known, but there are about 525,000, of which about 85,000 are owned by Housing New Zealand, local authorities and non-government organisations that provide social housing.

The remainder – about 440,000 rental homes – are provided by the private sector, and the overwhelming majority of these are owned by mum and dad property investors, typically owning a family home and another property.