Finance Minister Bill English has laid the blame for housing affordability problems with the country’s councils.

Stable interest rates and a decisive election result have rejuvenated the property market in some parts of the country, Quotable Value’s latest statistics show.

There are calls for the new Environment Minister to get straight to work on proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act.

Things are looking better for the property market now that the election is out of the way, Barfoot and Thompson says.

Asking prices are rising more slowly, Realestate.co.nz says.

Trade Me has developed a new index that measures the average asking price for its residential property listings and it shows buyers’ expectations have levelled off.

Most landlords have invested in property as a way to save for their retirement and for general savings, Crockers’ latest market research shows.

The rate at which building consents are being issued is slowing, Statistics New Zealand says.

Rent increases over the next year won’t be enough to cover Auckland landlords’ increasing outgoings, Barfoot and Thompson says.

Banks have agreed a streamlined process to help homeowners in multi-unit complexes access loans to pay for work needed to remedy leaky building issues, the New Zealand Bankers’ Association says.

Westpac is increasing its focus on landlords as investment properties start to make up a greater proportion of sales.

Bayleys says four large subdivision sites it has listed on the outskirts of Auckland are a sign of things to come.

Strengthening migration flows and solid employment should help support property prices, even as the market comes off the boil a bit, ANZ’s economists say.

A high court decision on tax residency should come as a relief to expats with property investments in New Zealand, a legal expert says.

The Property Council wants the newly-elected Government to prioritise the Resource Management Act reforms.

Property investors are calling for politicians to introduce tax deductibility for insulation and energy-efficient heating, not warrants of fitness for rental properties.