Rent increases will keep us in the game: King

Put rents up or risk hitting us all in the pocket. That is the message from property guru Andrew King gave to landlords at the recent Auckland Property Investors Association (APIA) meeting.

He says while some landlords may fear losing good tenants, not increasing rents will keep prices down for everyone.

"This is our income - people put their fees up all the time," King says. "Tenants often expect it."

King says landlords can't absorb increased maintenance, insurance and rate costs. No longer being able to claim building depreciation from April 1will hit hard too. He says this alone will increase costs for landlords by an average of $14-$17 each week.