Talk to Changing Minds

26th September 2014Housing Call 2 Action Tenancy Protection AssociationWhat is Housing Call 2 ActionA group of housing workers and groups involved with housing in West AucklandCame out of the Wellbeing Collaboration Project (WWCP) in 2002, resulting from Wellbeing Summits since 1996Several Calls 2 Action were generated from it nowadays only 3 remain:- Housing, Strong Local Economics & Active WaitakereCurrently meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 1.30 3pmHousing Call 2 Action has instigated several initiatives

Current Housing Call 2 Action InitiativesProperty Management Social Enterprise The Hub at the Ranui Caravan ParkSpotlight on Housing WeekWOF ProjectWOFA lavatory for the exclusive use of the tenantsLaundry tub (with external clothesline), bathing and hand washing facilities with hot and cold waterFacilities for storing, preparing and cooking food, including a cooking range, and a sink with hot and cold waterAn adequate supply of fresh/potable waterAn effective and sanitary system for draining wastewater and storm waterCeiling and under-floor insulation where possible installed to EECA standards (including control of rising damp from under floor)Safe and effective provision for lighting and heatingAppropriate passive or mechanical moisture extraction systems in kitchen and bathrooms, vented to the outside

WOF ContStayed/latched windows to prevent falls and to be safely left open for ventilation purposesFunctioning smoke alarm/s within 3m of each bedroomSound-proofing to minimise the noise nuisance between adjacent dwellingsAll housing should have safe accessAll power outlets and light switches must be safe, functional and in a good state of repairAppropriate provision for management of kitchen waste and recyclablesAll housing should be free of dampness issues, no unflued gas heaters, no toxic fumes

What you need to know about a tenants rights and obligationsType of Tenancy Fixed Term & PeriodicFlatting Boarding HousesPaying the rentRent increasesLandlord inspections & Landlords right of entryNotice Periods

Current Renting ProblemsDirect provision of state housing being reduced long-term Tenants unable to see their tenancy as their homeMaintenance problemsContinuously increasing rents in the private sectorCosts associated with accessing private rentals

Security of TenureSo that Notices of Termination can be challenged in the Tenancy TribunalSo that tenants are not vulnerable to landlord whimNotices to Quit are currently being used as a threat and/or disciplinary measure by HNZIt could be a deterrent to retaliatory actionIt would give New Zealand tenants security of tenureMost societies with tenancy legislation include a reason for eviction

How can this be fixed?Under Section 51, (1) (d)

Currently this section and sub-section states: In any other case, 90 days (RTA, 2010)

This could be amended to: 90 days is required for a reason other than those covered under S.51, (1) (a-c)