29 Mar 2021

Govt warned off considering rent increase caps

From Checkpoint, 5:38 pm on 29 March 2021

The government's being warned off even contemplating capping rent increases, saying that would be a further devastating blow to property investors.

The impact on rents is just one of the topics that continues to be hotly debated, following last week's announcement of a package aimed at cooling the housing market.

Property investors - who say they feel under attack - are predicting rent hikes could soon follow.

In response, the Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the government will keep a watching brief on rent prices, and would take action if needed.

But the Prime Minister has hosed down any suggestion of rent controls.

Here's our political editor, Jane Patterson.