Rental squeeze hitting hard in Western Bay

Rental accommodation in Te Puke has reached almost crisis point, says the man who manages 160 homes around the area.

Chris Campny, owner/operator of The Rental Managers, Te Puke's largest property management company. Photo/file

The crisis is twofold - lack of rentals and the price to get into them - says Chris Campny, owner/operator of The Rental Managers, Te Puke's largest property management company.

The housing demand has very little to do with the kiwifruit season, Mr Campny said.

"Most of the people who come through the door are nothing to do with kiwifruit," he said. Mr Campny manages about 160 properties around Te Puke, let to a broad spectrum of tenants.

About a third of them go to Work and Income to get the bond for a home.

Sometimes I think half of Gisborne are looking for houses to rent in Te Puke. I get about 10 inquiries each day.

Chris Campny

"It's not cheap to rent these days," he said. "A bond is usually four weeks' rent, the rent is paid two weeks in advance and the letting fee is a week's rent. So that's seven weeks' rent. It can cost more than $2000 to get into a place."

Recently he had 27 inquiries for one house. He narrowed it down to three potential tenants and let the owner decide who to let it to.

One house in Papamoa was for rent at $480.

"Sometimes I think half of Gisborne are looking for houses to rent in Te Puke. I get about 10 inquiries each day. I know of one young man who cannot find anywhere yet.
He stays with a mate during the week and drives home to Gisborne at weekends to see his young family. It's tough but that's the reality."

But a recent development has seen about 26 homes removed from the market - 14 owners are returning from overseas to re-occupy their own homes; and 12 houses have been sold to people who want to live in the houses.

"So that's not helping families wanting to rent. I jokingly tell the real estate agents to stop selling the houses I've got rented. I hate having to give good tenants notice because the property has been sold.

"Most of my efforts these days are directed at finding new rentals for good tenants.

"In the past I have taken names of people who have a spare room for rent. I'm happy to continue doing that. I'd just pass the details on for no charge and no recommendation either way. This has worked in the kiwifruit season for backpackers but it's not much help to family groups."