PHOTO: ROSA WOODS/STUFF Renters United volunteer Robert Whitaker: “Tenants generally just stick it out and hope it’ll get fixed eventually.”
Kate lives in a 1940s former state house in Christchurch. When she moved in, there were no blinds or curtains on any of the kitchen’s four windows. It took half a year to get it sorted.
She spends $100 a week on power blasting her heat pump to try to get some of the heat to reach the bedrooms but still wears a sweatshirt and jersey to bed some nights.
“At least this house is drier than my last house, there is less mould.
“So even though I would like to shift when my lease is up next year, because I’m on a benefit and my health isn’t great, my daughter is chronically ill, and my son has asthma, I feel like I couldn’t guarantee I’d find anywhere better. My rent is $460 per week, which seems ridiculous as the house has been allowed to get rundown, but as I said, it’s better the devil you know.”
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