The gouging starts...

[Smifffy]

Key was talking the other day and we have a huge earthquake/natural disaster fund. Is this just to try and top it back up as quick as possible and then keep the higher whatever they do because they'll get more to spend on the country/themselves

Did you listen to what he actually said, or the out of context 2 second soundbite that sells newstime advertising?

[superman]

Did you listen to what he actually said, or the out of context 2 second soundbite that sells newstime advertising?

wooooopsies

[admenk]

Maybe if they just bought cheaper ministerial BMWs ?

Sorry, of course, that would be leading by example and we wouldn't want that

I don't think anyone will mind doing their bit to help to pay for this disaster, the problem comes when it's all sorted, but our Govt (of whatever party) are still using it as an excuse to take our money

[bogan]

Like I said Winston, one can argue in favour of these moves, just as you have done. However, I remain cynical and curmudgeonly. Just one of those days.

begs the question, if you were to come back to this thread on a happy day, would you then start arguing with yourself?

Also, I can see the rational behind 2 and 3, but raising rent cos of natural disaster property damage, that's pretty low. Just cos you can, doesn't justify it.

[mashman]

So Kiwis really do look after each other in times of need It's business, not personal.

[Elysium]

Don't see why landlords should be raising rents. I mean most should have insurance to cover these properties.

[neels]

So Kiwis really do look after each other in times of need It's business, not personal.

Not everyone.

We have a flat for rent, and as expected we have had a few calls in the last couple of days. It surprised me that some peoples first suggestion was that we could up the rent, it seems a bit wrong to me to make life even more miserable for someone that's just become homeless.

The hard part at the moment is finding someone interested in inspecting the place to see if it's safe to occupy, figured it's a good thing to do before someone moves in, and I'm sure there would be a lots of interest and finger pointing if a wall fell over in an aftershock and crushed someone.

[mashman]

Not everyone.

We have a flat for rent, and as expected we have had a few calls in the last couple of days. It surprised me that some peoples first suggestion was that we could up the rent, it seems a bit wrong to me to make life even more miserable for someone that's just become homeless.

The hard part at the moment is finding someone interested in inspecting the place to see if it's safe to occupy, figured it's a good thing to do before someone moves in, and I'm sure there would be a lots of interest and finger pointing if a wall fell over in an aftershock and crushed someone.

Light, i can see some light ... on ya neels... shame others don't have that kind of attitude.

aye, that'd bit pretty hard to bare... hope you get someone soon

[F5 Dave]

This is capitalism at at rawest .. and the "free market" that everyone thought was a good idea ...

feels like a good time to say "Told you so ..."

Yeah communism has proven to be a far more robust model.


. . . .until it implodes when reality eventually catches up.

[Grumph]

You're not alone with your rental property problem - a friend of mine has a house empty out of town but won't rent it because he can't get it inspected.

On the way into town last week i saw a lot of "for lease" signs on Buchanans Rd - small and medium size businesses which had folded - bet the owners of those properties have been on their knees offering thanks....

For the benefit of those not in ChCh - the west and North are again relatively unscathed...not totally but pretty well...so the CBD businesses which can shift are looking in those areas. Large empty properties are pretty scarce so supply & demand is ruling...

[jasonu]

How about capping the DPB payment at 2 kids?...

And while they are at it, round up anyone who has been on the dole for more than six months and is physically able to work, send them to Chch and call the dole payment wages for helping with the clean up. Free tent and food included. Some of them might even learn the value of a hard days work.

[Scuba_Steve]

And while they are at it, round up anyone who has been on the dole for more than six months and is physically able to work, send them to Chch and call the dole payment wages for helping with the clean up. Free tent and food included. Some of them might even learn the value of a hard days work.

not a bad idea

[Usarka]

. I don't like it either but wouldn't you be foolish as a property owner not to accept a higher rent if all other properties were also increasing?

About as foolish as giving away some money/food/graft etc as an act of charity.

Parasitic scum.

[Banditbandit]

Yeah communism has proven to be a far more robust model.


. . . .until it implodes when reality eventually catches up.

I was not arguing for communism at all ... the examples we have of that are worse than anything our capitalist democracies have ...

But the rampant capitalism of the 1980s has turned many New Zealanders into greedy people ...

I object to peopple profiting from the misfortune of others ..as many landlords in Chch are now doing ...

[F5 Dave]

Fair call, but I'd suggest that human nature is largely consistent irrespective of political climate.