Friday, March 29, 2024

Farmers want new house rules

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Dairy industry leaders have asked the Government to amend its covid-19 ban on landlords evicting tenants after reports of dairy staff exploiting the rules by refusing to leave supplied housing as the season draws to a close.
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As a result, new staff moving onto the farms can’t move into the houses in time for the new milking season in June.

Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis said the circumstances usually involve a staff member who was exiting dairying when the new rules became law.

“They have nowhere to go. They are leaving farming for whatever reason and have no accommodation and have found out about the loophole and are using it to their advantage.”

The situation needs to be resolved before the start of the new milking season.

He has written to Housing Minister Megan Woods asking for dairy farmers to be exempt from the rules so new staff can occupy the houses.

Over the past few weeks the organisation has fielded numerous calls across New Zealand from farm owners in this position seeking advice, he said.

“We know it’s an issue and are working hard to solve it.”

The rules do not reflect the practical farm realitiesm where houses are required for staff and where the dairy sector is about to face large movements between farms.

“We need farm-specific exclusions.”

The Government changed the rules as emergency legislation in March to protect tenants as the country went to lockdown.

Even tenants who had previously given notice can stay in the houses. Landlords breaking the rules are liable to be fined up to $6500.

National Party Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker believes the issue is widespread after he recently posted on social media about it.

In 48 hours he had 10 people contact him, all with tenants they could not get rid of without fear of prosecution.

“And that’s just Southland alone and unfortunately it’s the unintended consequence of the changes the Government made to tenancy laws.”

About half of those 10 cases involved people purposely unwilling to move because of the law changes, despite knowing the houses are needed for incoming staff.

“They know they have the right not to move if they don’t want to.”

He said the rules have to be urgently changed in time for the new milking season.

“The workers that are supposed to be moving into these properties and the farm owners – they need resolution and they need it soon.”

DairyNZ people team leader Jane Muir said the issue is is high on the organisation’s radar and it has asked the Government to review it.

“It is a very difficult situation and currently the employer needs to think about alternative accommodation arrangements. 

“This might mean paying rent for another house nearby for the new employee or thinking about a boarding situation.

“Of course, the existing tenant can agree or decide to move out but it has to be their choice, they cannot be given notice or pressured to. We hope to get some resolution soon on this issue for farmers.”

Housing Minister Megan Woods has been contacted for comment.

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