Rent reductions; A snapshot of median rents in five districts; renter's right; Tenancy Tribunals; Advocacy

By Amanda Morrall

Apparently, you readers just can't get enough of property stories judging by page impressions. So today's Take Five is dedicated to all you renters out there. 

1) Rent reductions

Yesterday I heard from an acquintance that she'd successfully negotiated a rent reduction with her landlord. It wasn't a huge discount but better than the proposed rent increase. When you enter into these discussions make sure you go armed. If you're a good tenant, who pays on time, looks after the joint, doesn't cause any disturbances, and you're prepared to sign up for a fixed term, leverage all that into a better deal for yourself. (See also 10 tips for negotiating lower rentfrom One Cent at a Time.)

2) Median rents

As we move toward a distributive workforce, and begin to embrace alternative workplace arrangements including things like telecommuting, more of us will have the luxury of choosing where to live instead of being at the mercy of high prices in overly populated cities with too much traffic.

Here's a snapshot of median rents in five districts around the country compiled by my esteemed colleague Suhaimi Mohamad. And the case for Gisborne grows.

3) Tenancy Tribunal

A few years back I had the misfortune of having to take on a dodgy landlord from Christchurch. The long list of grievances included him not attending to grey water pooling directly under the house (for months), entering the house on several occasions without consent, ripping out an expensive veggie garden I'd planted without asking, and breaking a verbal agreement about when the tenancy would end because of a house sale. The tribunal, in my opinion, was a waste of time, because the judge presiding over the case said there was insufficent evidence to prove my complaints. He also questioned my credibility given that I put up with so much without taking action against him earlier. Being a nice and tolerant person didn't wash with him. Although a penalty was ordered against the landlord, he never paid it, as I expected. I could have gone after it through a collection agency if I was willing to put up the money for their efforts up front.

Okay, so I had a bad experience. On the bright side, I've had plenty of positive renter experiences too but I certainly wouldn't deter other tenants stuck with loser landlords from taking them on if there are grounds to do so. My only piece of advice would be not to wait too long to do it, to keep detailed notes (dates and times) for whatever alleged infractions, where possible have a witness and don't be a sucker.

Here's a link to the Tenancy Tribunal.

4) Just what are your rights?

Head off bigger problems down the road by knowing your rights up front. They are spelled out under the Residential Tenancy Act here.

Why not take a quiz to see how up to speed you are with changes to the Act introduced in 2010. Go on, I dare ya. There's actually 13 of them if you're super keen.

5) Scaredy cats

If you're too timid to take on your landlord, why not recruit someone with some experience in these matters. The Tenancy Protection Assocation in Christchurch is a good place to start and if you're not from Christchurch they can put you in touch with similar outfits nationwide.

Because you "Just can't get enough" of the '80s either.

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To read other Take Fives by Amanda Morrall click here. You can also follow Amanda on Twitter @amandamorrall