The Opposition's laying blame for the increasing rent prices across the country, squarely on the government

Rents rose at a rate of 3.1 percent last year... the strongest increase since 2008.

National's Finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says newly added costs for landlords are part of the problem.

He says the government doesn't seem to realise that it's not compulsory for people to rent out their houses.

Goldsmith says if it becomes too expensive or difficult, then landlords will withdraw from the market.... and prices will go up.