Leave landlords alone

Who the hell does Andrew King of the Auckland Property Investors Association think he, is representing? Not me, for sure. He is just another suit who wants to control my life.
30-12-1899 more >>

Kiwibank tries to stir some action

Kiwibank made the most interesting change to its home loan rates last week, dropping its five-year rate a full 51 basis points to 6.99%.
30-12-1899 more >>

Tenants keep state homes without paying rent

Thousands of late-paying state house tenants - some owing thousands of dollars in rent - are continuing to live in taxpayer-subsidised properties despite being nearly $2 million in debt.
30-12-1899 more >>

Fines system overhaul needed urgently

Too many people are getting away without paying their fines on time, says National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power.
30-12-1899 more >>

Pushing mortgages to the limit

Modern life has already given us extreme sports and extreme makeovers. Now it is mortgages that are being pushed to their limits.
30-12-1899 more >>

House prices drop but little danger of market collapsing

If Alan Bollard didn't manage a smile when the latest house data was revealed last week, he would make a good poker player.
30-12-1899 more >>

Bollard raises rates, leaves the door open for more

Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard has chosen the hawkish option, raising interest rates again and not ruling out the possibility of further hikes while emphasising that inflation pressures are stronger than expected.
30-12-1899 more >>

Home loan wars - Round 3

The Bank of New Zealand has resumed its discounting campaign with home loans, this time extending it to include three-year rates as well as two-year rates.
30-12-1899 more >>

Home loan rate rises pick up

Mortgage rates are heading higher in reaction to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s rate rise and hawkish tone last week, and it’s all your fault.
30-12-1899 more >>

The rate war continues

The fixed interest rate loan competition continues unabated, despite one day of no changes during the last week.
30-12-1899 more >>

Housing policy contributing to poor health stats

National Party Labour's policy of allowing people with surprisingly high incomes to stay in state houses indefinitely is contributing to an out-of-control waiting list and poor health statistics among those waiting for state housing, says National's Housing spokesman, Phil Heatley.
30-12-1899 more >>

Legislative Updates

The Social Services Select Committee 2005/2006 financial review of the Department of Building & Housing has reported that the department has for a considerable time been undertaking legislative reviews of the Unit Titles Act 1972 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
30-12-1899 more >>

Housing market still hot

Despite the Reserve Bank's best efforts to cool the property market, house values are still rising.
30-12-1899 more >>

Brace yourselves for repeat of 1987, says developer

Property develper Olly Newland, who gained and lost a fortune at the time of the 1987  sharemarket bubble and bust, believes New Zealand is about to repeat the experience.
30-12-1899 more >>

Tenant admits assault charge

A Takaka carpenter assaulted his 83-year-old landlord in frustration over a tenancy dispute, Nelson District Court has heard.
30-12-1899 more >>

BNZ market share up - slightly

Bank of New Zealand gained a smidgen more share of the mortgage market in the June quarter but its profitability is suffering slightly.
30-12-1899 more >>

Warning over tenants blacklist

A Nelson property manager who has been asked by landlords to blacklist tenants with whom they have had a 'clash of personalities' has warned that such databases need to be closely monitored.
30-12-1899 more >>

Speed - wealth dream is just that

Diana Clement looks at the dream offered by some of the companies selling one-stop-shop packaged property investments.
30-12-1899 more >>

Kiwibank sneaks into home loan war game

The home loan price war became a battle between two of the banks last week – the protagonist Bank of New Zealand and the ASB Bank.
30-12-1899 more >>

Few bite BNZ bait

It’s been a bit of a one-way street with mortgage rates last week. The only changes have been decreases and all the changes have been in the longer term fixed rate area.
30-12-1899 more >>

Cullen prepares ground for new tax

National Party Finance spokesman John Key says Michael Cullen appears to be preparing the ground to impose a capital gains tax on investment property.
30-12-1899 more >>

Problems understanding the jargon

A home loan is usually the biggest debt New Zealanders will have but many homeowners are not aware of even the basics on mortgage repayment and home loan terminology, according to the results of New Zealands first Adult Financial Knowledge Survey.
30-12-1899 more >>

Rates start easing

After a period of strong rises in home loan rates they are now starting to ease back, and by reasonably significant margins.
30-12-1899 more >>

Higher floating rates now a possibility

Not only has the prospect of lower floating rates receded well into 2006, but now the market is beginning to suggest further tightening.
30-12-1899 more >>

Housing NZ, Ministry may share information

Legislation establishing information sharing between Housing New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development will be considered by a parliamentary committee.
30-12-1899 more >>