With reports of long queues at flat viewings and agents being flooded with queries as soon as a listing goes up, we asked four people at different stages in life to share their story of trying to find a home.

After four failed attempts at getting onto the Auckland rental market, Rachel Osborne moved her three children into her parents' home - forcing them out of the main house and into the granny flat.

We'd love to hear your story - good or bad - about the rental market and what issues you think we need to explore. Email us newstips@stuff.co.nz



The 34-year-old solo mother of three is the first to admit her situation is a lot better than others, but it has still left her feeling trapped in a system without a way forward.



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CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF Rachel Osborne initially moved back in with her parents to save money, but has been unable to re-enter the rental market.

Her experience is one of many being felt across the country as the housing crisis continues to put strain on families, students and those beneath the poverty line.

Osborne - who works part-time while raising kids aged 12, 9 and 5 - is looking at two bedroom places on the outer limits of her kids school and her work on Auckland's North Shore.



But Osborne said she was competing in a market that "discriminates against families with kids".



"The moment you mention you have children it's like saying you have five dogs.



"Some ads will say the property will suit a mature professional couple, but it's basically a message to say we don't want a family."

During an open home viewing of an apartment in Hobsonville Point, Osborne visited the property with up to 30 others, however most were professional couples with two incomes.

"There was a playground across the road, and my kids' school was down the road, but the property manager said it was suited for a professional couple.

"I know of at least four families living in that same apartment building."

The average rental price in North Shore has increased four per cent each year, spiking to near 10 per cent in busy months. In December 2017 it was up six per cent.



And like much of the rest of the country fewer bonds are being lodged with the tenancy tribunal - five per cent fewer in North Shore as of January 2018.

CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF Rachel Osborne believes the rental market discriminates against families with children.

"It's disempowering," Osborne said. "But it's much different for me with my lovely house, and I have a cat, but in the same way there is no going forward.

"I'm not climbing the property ladder, I don't have enough KiwiSaver, it's frustrating to be part of a system that is clearly broken."

After living in defence force housing in Hobsonville for a number of years, the family was forced to move out of the damp conditions because it was making everyone sick.

LAINE MOGER/STUFF With it's beaches and village like feel, the North Shore is hot property in the rental market.

Osborne's parents offered to temporarily home them while they looked for suitable accommodation - that was two years ago.

"My parents are in their 60s and should be using this time to enjoy life in this beautiful house, but they don't because they put family first, and because of a system I can't rent or buy in."

After four serious attempts in two years Osborne feels trapped, but also counts herself as lucky.

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"Some families aren't as privileged to have parents to support them like we have, it's heartbreaking to think we have a system that could hinder so many people who need help."

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