Letting fees are out of control

Letting fees are an aberration in the law and are pricing ordinary New Zealanders out of homes, a tenants’ advocate has told MPs.

A select committee today heard submissions on a bill to abolish the fees for new properties.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford previously said the bill could put up to $47 million into the pockets of New Zealand families each year.

Angela Maynard of the Tenants’ Protection Association Auckland told the hearing the costs involved in getting into a rental property were out of control.