Flatting Today

Cam and Daniel from the Tenants Union discuss what renters need to know if their home becomes uninhabitable due to flooding or extreme weather. This episode explains tenant and landlord responsibilities, notice periods for ending tenancies, bond refunds, access to emergency support, and what to do if disputes arise. The conversation also updates listeners on the Rotorua social housing rent‑increase cases, recent Tenancy Tribunal decisions, and practical steps tenants can take to challenge unfair rises and protect their rights during housing disruptions.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.

Cam and Daniel return with Flatting Today, focusing on current housing and renting issues affecting communities across Aotearoa. This episode discusses council housing transfers in Rotorua, emerging tools to improve transparency for renters, such as tenant‑led rental rating platforms, and recent housing policy announcements ahead of the election. The conversation highlights rent affordability, tenant protections, healthy homes standards, and the ongoing debate around housing as a human right versus an investment, offering practical insight and advocacy for renters.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.

Cam and Daniel discuss recent reports on rent prices, noting that while national averages show slight decreases, many tenants are not experiencing meaningful reductions. They look at the sharp rise in rents around Queenstown Lakes, the pressures on workers needing accommodation, and broader issues of supply, tourism demand, and affordability.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.

Cam and Daniel share practical advice for students arriving in Palmerston North and moving into flats for the new academic year. They cover what to look for when viewing a place—conditions of the house, how many people you’ll be living with, shared‑cost expectations, and the difference between being a tenant on the lease versus a flatmate with fewer legal protections.

They outline common pitfalls around fixed‑term contracts, bond handling, shared bills, and understanding whether a room‑by‑room setup is a tenancy or a boarding‑house arrangement. The hosts also pass on real‑world examples of flatting mishaps, from surprise maintenance issues to mismatched living expectations, and offer guidance on navigating disputes before they escalate.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Cam and Daniel open the episode with the news that their organisation is now officially called the Tenants Union, then dive straight into a growing wave of questions about pets under New Zealand’s updated tenancy rules. They outline how tenants should request permission, what landlords can reasonably require, and why keeping pets isn’t as simple as just bringing one home.

The hosts walk through surprising bylaw details—like limits on the number of cats, permits for roosters, rules for beehives, and how even goldfish or caged birds can fall under council regulations. They also explain how pet bonds work, when landlords can require carpet cleaning, and the importance of getting all permissions in writing.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Cam and Daniel return for their first Flatting Today of 2026, comparing Cam’s recent observations of homelessness and healthcare disparities across the US with the situation in Aotearoa. They discuss how housing‑first approaches can reduce long‑term homelessness, the potential of denser living and mixed‑use apartment design, and why Kiwi attitudes toward space need to evolve.

The hosts also dig into rising rents, shrinking affordability, and the widening power imbalance between landlords and tenants—touching on security of tenure, landlord transparency, and the barriers younger adults face in renting independently.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Daniel returns solo on Flatting Today while Cam continues his travels in the US, offering updates from the Manawatu Tenants’ Union and covering a major development in renting: the arrival of pet bonds. He explains how recent system changes at Tenancy Services have caused long delays in bond processing, what tenants can do when disputes arise, and how to use partial releases to access undisputed bond amounts sooner.

This episode also unpacks the new pet‑bond rules, what they can be used for, how they differ from standard bonds, and why even small pets technically qualify. Daniel shares practical guidance for end‑of‑tenancy expectations, common landlord misunderstandings, and why “reasonably clean and tidy” remains a surprisingly slippery standard. With real examples, insights from recent cases, and plenty of lived experience from the advocacy front line, he rounds out a helpful session for anyone navigating bonds, pets, or tenancy disputes.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

With Cam away travelling in the US, Daniel takes the mic solo to break down a surge in tenant issues tied to New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Standards. He explains why so many rentals are still falling short despite the rules being in place for months, and walks listeners through what tenants can do — from issuing a 14‑day notice to taking unresolved problems to the Tenancy Tribunal. Daniel also gives a practical rundown of what counts for insulation, heating, ventilation, draught‑stopping, and drainage, and highlights common pitfalls landlords keep missing.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Cam and Daniel dig into the growing housing challenges facing disabled New Zealanders, from inaccessible rentals to families struggling to find adequate support. They discuss the shortage of social housing, stories from recent news, and how flawed policy and poor property management make life harder for tenants. The hosts also reflect on international examples like the UK’s “bedroom tax” and advocate for universal building standards and long‑term solutions.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

A show from the Manawatū Tenants' Union looking at housing and rental issues, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.