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Property investors who have left their houses empty could soon be asked by the Auckland Council to consider housing rough sleepers or people struggling to find an affordable rental. Auckland mayor Phil Goff says he has spoken to the Government and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) about how the… View moreProperty investors who have left their houses empty could soon be asked by the Auckland Council to consider housing rough sleepers or people struggling to find an affordable rental. Auckland mayor Phil Goff says he has spoken to the Government and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) about how the thousands of "ghost houses" or vacant properties across the city could be used to help ease a housing shortage. Just over 7 per cent of Auckland's properties were vacant - which is high by international standards but includes properties where residents were out for the night. Goff has previously said he does not support a tax on vacant land or properties. But he is considering a different approach. "I have had discussions with Government and with Housing First around how houses left vacant longer term might be utilised for housing purposes with the agreement of their owners," he told. "This is currently a work in progress, and I hope in due course an initiative might be able to be announced around how we could incentivise owners of such properties to provide those houses for rental purposes." It was not known what the incentives could be. Under the Housing First programme, private landlords who lease their properties to homeless people get guaranteed rent through a housing supplier, which also covers any maintenance costs and arranges social services and support for the tenant. Auckland mayoral candidate John Tamihere told he would act on housing rough sleepers in empty houses if it was proven feasible.
"I would move on it because we're not going to build our way out of the problem in the short to medium term," he said. Tamihere raised concerns over how accurate the 2018 Census was in terms of there being 40,000 homes empty in Auckland. However, if he was elected mayor he would "absolutely" be prepared to investigate further into ghost houses and possible solutions for homelessness. Auckland Council estimates that there is a shortfall of 46,000 homes in the city and some have argued there should be penalties for people who deliberately leave homes empty rather than renting them out. A tax on vacant land and property is being considered as part of the Government's tax reforms. The Productivity Commission has been instructed to include it in its review of local government funding. However, Finance Minister Grant Robertson has been warned that such a tax is expensive to set up and is difficult to enforce. In Vancouver, owners of vacant homes are taxed 1 per cent of the house's value a year, as long as it is not their family home. The tax has been credited with a 15 per cent drop in the number of vacant properties. One of the obstacles to considering a similar tax in New Zealand is the absence of accurate data on how many properties are vacant for long periods. The Census 2018 figure of 40,000 homes includes properties of residents who were away on Census night, holiday homes, and homes which were being renovated. It is not known what portion of them are "ghost houses". Vector and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment attempted to get more accurate data in 2015 by checking which houses were using minimal electricity for long periods. They found around 8000 homes - or 1.6 per cent of all dwellings - were unoccupied, meaning they had used less than 400W of power a day for 100 days or more. Most of them were in northern beach suburbs and Waiheke Island, which led the researchers to conclude they were holiday homes and baches.
A Watercare spokeswoman said it was not possible to do a similar study because its meters were not set up to measure zero water use. Any research would be complicated by blocks of flats with shared water meters or single properties with multiple meters, she said.
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Get ready for Christmas by watching Love Actually on the big screen with a live orchestra.
Yes, actually.
Will you be taking advantage of this screening?
Let us known in the comments below. Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used.
NZ House & Garden House Tours are hitting the regions for 2020!
Book your next summer weekend away now for a chance to step inside the pages of one of New Zealand’s favourite magazines!
Join us for a day of indulgence visiting exquisite homes and gardens, all in support of Breast … View moreNZ House & Garden House Tours are hitting the regions for 2020!
Book your next summer weekend away now for a chance to step inside the pages of one of New Zealand’s favourite magazines!
Join us for a day of indulgence visiting exquisite homes and gardens, all in support of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. For the last eleven years, the magazine has handpicked five fabulous locations around the country and this time we are delighted to be heading to the Bay of Islands, Taupō, New Plymouth, Blenheim and Dunedin.
For more information and to secure your tickets for an inspiring day out exploring New Zealand's region, please visit our website.
Hi neighbours, I would like to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Siri Reddy. I have 12 years of experience with dentistry and orthodontics. My aim is to make NZ’s best dental services available to everyone.
I treat simple cavities to complex full mouth rehabilitation. I focus on … View moreHi neighbours, I would like to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Siri Reddy. I have 12 years of experience with dentistry and orthodontics. My aim is to make NZ’s best dental services available to everyone.
I treat simple cavities to complex full mouth rehabilitation. I focus on preventative dentistry and overtreating is not my policy. I just treat what needs to be done, giving you a genuine and honest opinion on your teeth.
I am also a certified Invisalign provider spreading many confident smiles over Auckland. I have been successfully treating various malocclusion with simple solutions. I am an expert in doing metal, ceramic and invisible braces, having done my Masters in Orthodontics.
If your Orthodontist is saying that they have to take out teeth for braces, come and see me. I may offer you something different which may not mean extracting teeth. I am highly experienced in functional Orthodontics as well which helps modify the growth of jaws.
We have got all the latest technology in our practice. We do 3D guided implant technology, 3D CAD CAM crown technology, Invisalign, laser dentistry, digital x-rays, air abrasion etc. which helps us be more precise and accurate in our diagnosis and treatment.
We customise plans to suit every budget, with interest-free payment plans and free consultations, free second opinions and a full exam for only $69. We have lots of specials and offers in-house, please call us to find out more.
We are doing our best to help the people in our community maintain their dental health. We support our community both physically and financially to achieve this goal.
Contact us on 09 625 1411 or book online. Our friendly team will be more than happy to help you.
Find us at 150 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough.
An inner city dentist is offering a glass of champagne with a clean or whitening service. Lumino th…
Hi neighbours, Auckland is set to get another upmarket dormitory-style "co-living" house for adults where residents pay up to $360 to rent a room and share communal facilities like the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas with 21 neighbours. The Coh, a luxury boarding house, has been so … View moreHi neighbours, Auckland is set to get another upmarket dormitory-style "co-living" house for adults where residents pay up to $360 to rent a room and share communal facilities like the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas with 21 neighbours. The Coh, a luxury boarding house, has been so popular since opening on Symonds St on July 22 that its owner is planning to open another. What do you think of the co-living concept? Would you try it? Please write "NFP" if you don't want your comment to appear in print.
Hi neighbours. Lumino The Dentist in Ponsonby says one glass of quality champagne after visiting the dentist won't hurt. Would you drink champers after a clean? Put NFP in your post if it is not publication. Cheers neighbours.
Thousands of climate strikers are expected to link arms along Auckland's Quay Street on Friday as pa…
UPDATE: The man was arrested and charged with abduction and sexual violation.
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Police are hunting for a 62-year-old man, wanted in connection with the alleged abduction and sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Mt Roskill.
The incident took place in the New World Mt Roskill carpark at… View moreUPDATE: The man was arrested and charged with abduction and sexual violation.
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Police are hunting for a 62-year-old man, wanted in connection with the alleged abduction and sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Mt Roskill.
The incident took place in the New World Mt Roskill carpark at 4pm on Friday.
Anyone with information should phone the Auckland City Crime Squad on 09 302 6557.
On the basis of the observations done on eating and sleeping patterns of various individuals, it has been noticed that people who have been involved in binge eating for a while, find it difficult to fall asleep. They do not feel sleepy at the usual timings and feel exhausted during the work hours. … View moreOn the basis of the observations done on eating and sleeping patterns of various individuals, it has been noticed that people who have been involved in binge eating for a while, find it difficult to fall asleep. They do not feel sleepy at the usual timings and feel exhausted during the work hours. They also start putting on extra weight. Annoyance and depression also start to get a grip on them. Read the full blog at
Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together–over coffee–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Community residents can sit down with a officer and ask questions or share what’s on their mind. You are all Welcome come speak with Constable … View moreCoffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together–over coffee–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Community residents can sit down with a officer and ask questions or share what’s on their mind. You are all Welcome come speak with Constable Dyan Tahiwi at 869 New North Road, Mt Albert Neighbourhood Support Auckland office. The time and day is 10:00-12:00 pm 26th Sep 2019
Hi Neighbours,
In 2016 on 38.5 per cent of Aucklanders voted in the local body elections. That's worse than the national average of 42 per cent. So with papers now in most homes, will you complete the ballot paper and post it back by October 12? Read the story below:
(Please type NFP if you … View moreHi Neighbours,
In 2016 on 38.5 per cent of Aucklanders voted in the local body elections. That's worse than the national average of 42 per cent. So with papers now in most homes, will you complete the ballot paper and post it back by October 12? Read the story below:
(Please type NFP if you comments are not for print)
Hi neighbours, a dormitory-style housing development targeted at millennials has proved so popular its founder plans to open another.
What are your thoughts on this kind of living?
Put NFP if you do not want your comments used.
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