Prospective tenants in Wellington face another hard time trying to get a flat in the early months of this year.

Local woman Amy Driver is complaining after being asked on a tenancy application if she'd be willing to pay more than the listed price if there's high interest in the property.

She says having people bid for rentals is unfair and will push hardworking people out of the market, while landlords should be responsible for a certain standard of living.

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However, it's not against the law.

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment tenancy spokesman Steve Watson says it's just a reversal of the usual situation where the landlord asks the tenant for a price, and sets a market rate for rent.

It comes as the annual migration of students to the capital starts to gear up, with thousands expected to come to Wellington between now and when university starts in March.