Businesses forced out of the ruined centre of Christchurch are scrambling for space in the suburbs.
But many landlords are requiring tenants to sign leases of four or even six years for suburban properties.
The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce says under a national state of emergency commercial landlords should play fair and support businesses hit by the quake.
But one real estate agent, Hamish Doig, says the market should be left to determine new commercial rents.
Another agent, Bill Kingston, says city law firms have been creating offices in warehouses to meet pressing client needs.
