The Bay Chronicle

Friendly help with rent hike

- BAYLEY MOOR

A legally blind, elderly man searching for a new house after a rent hike has had a reprieve with a friend offering to pay for his rent increase.

Kerikeri’s Ian Marr, 80, was told before Christmas his rent would rise from $270 per week to $325 after his landlords were told they could get up to $400 per week for the two bedroom cottage. Unable to afford the increase Marr needed to be out of his central Kerikeri rental by March.

After hearing of Marr’s struggle, friend Frank Weber offered to make up the $55 difference for up to six months. Weber and Marr have known each other for 10 years from their involvemen­t with the Bay of Islands Singers.

‘‘I didn’t know Ian was having difficulty - I can help so I will help,’’ Weber says.

Marr says the financial help takes the worry out of the situation.

‘‘It gives me wriggle room and gives me time to look at other options.’’

Marr was hoping Work and Income could help, but he says he is right at the end of the limit of assistance. Although not totally blind Marr is not allowed to drive and needs to live centrally for his medical needs.

He says he can also not afford to enter a retirement village and it is not possible for him to move out of the area.

District councillor Dave Hookway says Marr has found himself the victim of rapidly rising rents due to increasing house prices in the Far North.

‘‘People seem to think that Kerikeri is an affluent area, but it too has its share of poverty.’’

Far North District Council owns 48 pensioner units in Kaitaia, 38 in Kaikohe and 10 in Rawene. Kerikeri has just four one-bedroom units and three bedsits. Marr has applied for a council flat, but it is a matter of when one becomes available.

Bay of Islands Property Management owner Liz Ford says it is a dire rental market in Kerikeri and surroundin­g areas.

The rental market changes have predominan­tly occurred in the last 12 months, she says.

‘‘There is a high demand due to decreased availabili­ty, so it’s a marketplac­e like any other. [This is] driven by two factors, one is a very buoyant real estate market and two, rentals are being sold to owner-occupiers.’’

If you can help contact Dave 027 543 5502.

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 ??  ?? Frank will help Ian pay $55 extra rent.
Frank will help Ian pay $55 extra rent.

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