Business

Tenants say times are tough, even if rent growth is slowing

At the end of last year, rents were increasing at a rate of more than 7% a year.

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ Christchurch woman Tara has seen her rent increase from $480 a week to $580 in the past two years - and she’s now living in a smaller house. She said she had to move because the owners wanted to move back in. “It took four months to find something ‘affordable’ that was dry and near my son’s kindy.

” She said she was starting to feel real pressure. Her sole parent support is $618 a week and she also receives Working for Families and child support. She says without those, she would be in real trouble.

.