Eviction Notice

"And if you come around, I may just not be found..."
No Use For a Name, "Yours to Destroy" (Feel Good Record of the Year, 2008)

The terrible news came last night. The landlady broke it to me that the builders were coming in to perform the repairs that needed to be done to the property in the wake of the 2010 and 2011 Earthquakes. No big deal there, it was known to me, and I would likely have to relocate while repairs are taking place. It was what followed directly after that slapped me in the face...
After repairs take place, it was likely that the house was going to put on the market, as the money poured into the property over recent years was starting to remove any gain made by the investment of the property.

Her decision is fair enough I guess - I would not want to see anyone put themselves into financial pressure just to keep a roof over a tenants head.
The problem I now face is finding somewhere to live in Christchurch, particularly with a rental market which has exposed the world of profiteering by inconsiderate property owners looking to make money out of a terrible situation. Despite nationwide name and shame campaigns by several Socially minded Media organisations, the practice continues, and rents continue to jump across the city as more and more people try to find a roof to put over their head, and worse still, working, earning people find themselves living in their cars.

If faced with this same situation six months ago, I could almost guarantee that I would've left town at the word of the announcement, heading West for Australia earlier than planned. Unfortunately, that isn't happening, as my bank balance is suffering from looming legal action being taken against my former flatmate, coupled with the fact that I'm currently occupying my place of residence by myself, and furthermore the fact that I have committed to Christchurch for the sake of my terminally ill father.

I can see the bright side to this situation. If I choose to go flatting again, I can guarantee that money will be saved, something that could possibly change the whole outlook of the year. Time will tell.

In the mean time, I'll be packing