Lyndon Rogers, who works in the Anglican Church's social justice unit, said renters were having a hard time proving earthquake damage and expected wear and tear was not their fault.

To assist, the church is launching the Record Your Rental programme, where volunteers take photos showing the state of houses before tenants move in. Photos will be stored in a secure online database to provide an objective archive.

The first training for volunteers was held this week.

Rogers said the photos provided important documentation that would ensure fairness if a dispute went to the Tenancy Tribunal.

"Without the evidence they can't make their case in the [tribunal]," he said. Continue reading