Small rent increases planned

Crockers’ latest survey of Auckland investors shows that 41% are not planning to increase rents at all over the next 12 months.

That is down slightly from 45% who weren't planning any movement in March last year.

Of those planning to increase rents, 18% will only increase them by 1% to 2%.

Another 23% will only lift rents by 3% or 4%.

Just 10% plan an increase of more than 10%, down from 12% planning that level of increase in March 2014.

Investors were asked last March whether they expected to see a housing shortage by the end of the year.

Most expected a small to moderate shortage by December 2014.

But when researchers revisited the question at the end of last year, they found supply was tighter than expected.

A moderate to large housing shortage was reported.

Almost three quarters of respondents expected to make no change to their investment portfolio over the coming year, slightly up from the 68% who said the same in November. Just 13% plan a reduction and 16% expect to grow their portfolios.