The Human Rights Commission is demanding the Government take urgent action to support renters' human rights.
Te Kahui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission (HRC), is calling on the Government to implement an immediate freeze on rent increases that could give renters some reprieve during the cost of living crisis.
"Too many New Zealanders are sacrificing their fundamental human rights to pay the rent," chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said.
"We're very concerned that some students, low-income or single-wage families are having to make trade-offs between the right to adequate food and the right to a decent home."
If the Government did implement what the Commission is calling for, it wouldn't be the first time they have done so.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Government implemented a temporary six-month freeze on rent increases to ease the pressure on renters.
"The Government of the day has to ensure all New Zealanders can meet their basic living needs," Hunt said.
"The cost of living payment doesn't go far enough to address unaffordable rents faced by many low-income renters."
Kiwis started receiving the cost of living payment of $116.67 - the first of three - at the beginning of August, with the second and third portions coming on the first business days of September and October.
It works out at $350 and will go to Kiwis who earn $70,000 or less, aren't entitled to the Winter Energy Payment and meet several other criteria - roughly 2.1 million New Zealanders.
The Commission said the increase to the accommodation supplement should ensure those on the lowest incomes pay no more than 30 percent or more of their income (after tax) on housing.
Almost half of the people renting spent 30 percent or more of their income (after tax) on housing in the year ended June 2020. Rent has also risen significantly faster than income and inflation over the past several years, the HRC said in a statement.
The Commission said the proportion of people renting in New Zealand is increasing, with a third of Kiwis and half the adult population now renting their homes.
The Green Party supported the Commission's call for an immediate rent freeze followed by a reform of the rental system to guarantee everyone has a warm, dry, affordable place to live.
"The Human Rights Commission is absolutely right. An immediate rent freeze followed by permanent and meaningful changes to the way we rent is essential for recognising the human right to a warm, affordable home," Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said.
"A home is a home, whether someone rents or owns it. But for one in three people who rent, the cost of staying in their home is rising, much faster than incomes.
"Despite having so much power over the lives of people who rent, landlords are currently operating in a light touch regulatory system, particularly when it comes to setting rents. Successive Governments have stood by and done little to change this, instead watching as rents became less and less affordable."
A home is considered unaffordable for someone to rent if they need to spend more than 30 percent of their income to keep a roof over their heads, Davidson said.
"The shocking fact is that this is the reality for nearly one in every two people who rent," Davidson said.
"These people are struggling to pay the bills as rents continue to rise. It should be enough of a reason for any Government to act."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told AM in February while the Government keeps a "close eye" on what's happening in the rental market, rental controls aren't something it's considering.
