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The table provides a guide to rent levels in Mahurangi, and surrounding areas. Source, qv.co.nz
Warkworth’s designation as one of Auckland’s growth hot spots is already having an effect on property rentals.
Property management agents say new rentals are being snapped up, with the highest demand being for three-bedroom houses. They agree that demand is significantly out pacing supply.
Ray White Warkworth has doubled its property numbers in the last nine years at a time when a lot of new companies have entered the property management market.
Property manager team leader Nicole Banks believes there could be a 200 per cent increase in the number of rental properties overall. Despite this, Ray White’s letting figures are down by 42 per cent.
“There are a couple of contributing factors,” she says. “We no longer do casual letting and tenants are staying in their properties longer because rentals are harder to come by.”
Quinovic franchise owner Linda Otter says a lot of people are gun shy of renting their own property because they are worried about the quality of tenants and whether they will look after the home.
“The meth issue is also on people’s minds,” she says. “It’s had a lot of publicity, but with proper screening, it shouldn’t be an issue. A lot of tenants are also asking that the house be tested for drugs before they rent – they want to feel safe and if the house has any residue P from a previous tenant, they don’t want to get the blame when they leave.”
Mahurangi is a popular destination for Aucklanders because rental prices are still relatively cheap compared to the North Shore or even the Hibiscus Coast.
Agencies are also starting to field enquiries from people who will be working on the new motorway, as well as contractors involved in new subdivisions.
The average rent in the region in December last year was $219, up $10 on December 2015. Anything rented for less that $390 a week is considered a budget rental.
“Anyone on a low income is going to find it pretty tough to find something affordable,” Nicole says.
Property in Mahurangi is still seen as a sound investment with a lot of local rental property owned by people from out of the area.
Warkworth and Snells Beach remain the most popular locations for rentals, followed by Wellsford.
Nicole says the days of keeping a waiting list are long gone.
“As soon as we get a property, we list it on the internet. Anyone looking will get an alert so tenants have become much more proactive in finding a rental.”
Advice for tenants
Don’t lie, don’t turn up drunk and leave your shoes at the front door. That’s just some of the advice people seeking to rent a house might expect to hear from a good property manager.
A good credit rating, reasonable references and a good attitude won’t go astray either, Ray White property manager Nicole Banks says.
“The worst thing anyone can do is lie,” she says. “We understand that when disputes arise, it is not always the tenant’s fault so we will take this into consideration in the overall assessment. We research people’s history on a broad level, which includes using NZ Tenants, a confidential database run by NZ property managers which rates their tenants.
“When people lie on their application and we find out, it really lessens their chances of getting a place. If there was a problem at a previous house, then it’s much better to be upfront and tell us about it.”
