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发帖数: 4796 | 1 New Zealand bans sales of homes to foreigners
New Zealand's parliament has banned many foreigners from buying existing
homes in the country - a move aimed at making properties more affordable.
The ban only applies to non-residents. Australians and Singaporeans are
exempt because of free-trade deals.
New Zealand is facing a housing affordability crisis which has left home
ownership out of reach for many.
Low interest rates, limited housing stock and immigration have driven up
prices in recent years.
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Is it a total ban?
No, only non-residents are affected by the Overseas Investment Amendment
Bill, which was passed in a 63-57 vote on Wednesday.
They are now banned from purchasing most types of homes - but they will be
able to make limited investments in new apartments in large developments.
Foreigners with residency status in New Zealand - as well as non-resident
Australian and Singaporean nationals - are not affected by the ban.
New Zealand's Trade and Economic Development Minister David Parker
described the passage of the bill as a "significant milestone".
"This government believes that New Zealanders should not be outbid by
wealthier foreign buyers," he said.
"Whether it's a beautiful lakeside or ocean-front estate, or a
modest suburban house, this law ensures that the market for our homes is set
in New Zealand, not on the international market."
But opponents said the ban was unnecessary and would not fix any problem.
Foreign ownership and a housing shortage in New Zealand's bigger cities
were prominent issues in the run-up to last year's election, which saw
the end of nine years of rule by the conservative National Party.
New Zealand now has a centre-left coalition government led by Labour's
Jacinda Ardern, the country's youngest female leader.
What's the bigger picture?
The ban follows fears that overseas buyers of homes were putting too much
pressure on infrastructure and house prices.
Chinese investors have been among the biggest and most active offshore
buyers of property in the New Zealand market.
Average prices nationwide have risen more than 60% in the past 10 years,
while in Auckland - the country's largest city - they have almost
doubled.
However, the housing market has somewhat cooled in recent months.
In July, the median price for residential property nationwide was NZ$550,000
($360,500; £284,000), according to data from the Real Estate Institute
of New Zealand.
In June, about 82% of houses were bought by New Zealand's citizens or
residents, with fewer than 3% of homes going to foreigners. |
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