Renters having to go rural
Taupo¯ renters are looking out of town as a housing shortage cuts down urban rental options .
Aucklander John Keepa Grey has been looking for a home since September.
The 72-year-old has money, he doesn’t smoke or drink, but he’s been unable to find a rental anywhere around Lake Taupo¯ – even after four visits.
‘‘The places I’ve shown interest in are from $280 per week to $350,’’ he said.
‘‘I would like a three-bedroom, but I would happy with a twobedroom or even or single.
‘‘I’d be happy to rent in Motuoapa, Taupo¯, Turangi, Tokaanu, or even around the western side.’’
Taupo¯ was proving a much harder place to find a home than Helensville, Auckland, where he currently lives.
Grey is of Ngati Tu¯wharetoa descent and said Taupo¯ was his spiritual home.
‘‘People of my age group have a duty to be available for any functions back on our marae.’’
The former heavy machinery operator said while he would be happy to live anywhere around the lake, he thought it prudent to be near medical centres and the hospital.
A vacant rental advertised in Turangi recently was snapped up quickly, Emma Nichol from Harcourts Rentals said
‘‘The first viewing had record numbers of interested parties for a high-end Turangi property – nine groups of people..
‘‘That’s the first listing we’ve had for a little while. Even though it was at the higher end of the Turangi rental market at $360 per week, that’s had a very good takeup. And that tells us the demand is there.’’
There were four rentals in Turangi advertised on TradeMe at the time of printing, renting for between $230 and $660 a week.
Of the property management companies, only one company was advertising vacant rentals outside Taupo¯, in Kinloch and Reporoa, for $330 and $550 respectively.
Nadia Verdonk, property manager at LJ Hooker Taupo, said more tenants appeared to be willing to commute.
‘‘Tenants aren’t too worried about travelling 20 or 30 minutes out of town because there’s such limited stock at the moment,’’ she said.