Media Statement For immediate release Thursday, 24 July, 2003
Alexander: Landlord's frustration understandable
The frustration that drove a Christchurch landlord to force tenants from her investment property this morning was
utterly understandable, United Future's Marc Alexander said today in renewing his call for a bad tenants register.
"While I would never advocate the breaking of the law, my sympathy lies with the landlord who, when lumbered with
tenants who either don't pay up or have a history of trashing properties, is forced to go through weeks of bureaucratic
red tape.
"They are supposed to sit mutely by while they are either being ripped off, or having their investment destroyed before
their eyes," Mr Alexander said.
"So I think most people would understand and sympathise with the actions of the landlord this morning in evicting these
people," he said.
"Again I call upon the Housing Minister Steve Maharey to get serious about protecting landlords' rights.
"It's pretty simple stuff - if they damage property, don't pay rent, breach their terms of tenancy, then they should get
the bum's rush. Out. Gone.
"As it is they get warnings, and weeks of delay, in fact they get everything but therapy sessions.
And what does the landlord get? Ripped off," he said.
Ends.