Articles tagged with 'property management'
Too expensive and wrong – new property manager regulations needed
30 November 2023 - The Residential Property Managers Association (RPMA) wants a completely new property managers bill and is hoping to meet with Housing Minister Chris Bishop shortly to get work underway.
Changes expected to bill regulating property managers
8 November 2023 - If Chris Bishop is appointed Housing Minister in the National-led coalition Government changes are expected to the previous Government’s Residential Property Managers Bill.
Further step to regulation of property managers
23 August 2023 - A new regime for property managers is now before Parliament.
[OPINION] No-cause terminations not the answer
23 May 2023 - Will reversing no-cause terminations be the solution to removing anti-social tenants?
Rents higher under property managers
14 February 2023 - New Zealand now has more property managers than it has drivers, cooks or architects, census data shows.
Lack of regulation details frustrates property managers
23 November 2022 - Sparse detail around the Government’s regulation of property managers is frustrating David Pearse, Residential Property Managers Association (RPMA) president.
Regulation for property managers and meth tests
22 November 2022 - Housing Minister Megan Woods has announced sweeping changes to the rental sector – property managers and the treatment of houses contaminated by methamphetamine are to be regulated.
Property managers flout privacy rules
27 September 2022 - Property managers are in the gun for asking potential renters to share more information than is legally allowed to secure a home, helping shape the case for regulation.
Five warning signs your property manager is underperforming
21 September 2022 - Propertyscouts has outlined five warning signs that your property manager is underperforming.
Renters making demands of property managers
26 July 2022 - A tenants’ action group wants landlords and property managers to implement a 10 point plan it has come up with.
Drugs testing not enough to evict tenant
23 March 2022 - An attempt to evict a tenant has floundered at the Tenancy Tribunal despite methamphetamine being used at the rented house.
Property managers to be regulated
16 February 2022 - The government finally makes moves to regulate property managers.
Tribunal: Anti-social behaviour – tenancy terminated
25 October 2021 - A tenant who cut the Sky cable, removed fuses from the fuse box and put them back incorrectly, and tagged items on the premises has had his periodic tenancy terminated.
Changes to tenancy terminations
4 October 2021 - The Government has introduced an omnibus bill to Parliament making changes to the restriction of tenancy terminations during alert level four.
Methamphetamine: Landlords call for more clarity
30 September 2021 - Caught between a rock and hard place is how many property managers feel when it comes to dealing with methamphetamine and rental properties.
Rent shock for abandoning rental
17 August 2021 - A tenant who had rented a house for 36 years – but forgot to give the landlord written notice he was leaving – now has to pay $9,628 in rent arrears.
Landlords given latitude over family violence and assaults
5 August 2021 - Regulations being developed around family violence and assaults on landlords will result in short termination notices.
Claim against Bond Centre thrown out
28 June 2021 - The Tenancy Tribunal has tossed out a Wellington landlord’s claim the Bond Centre “did not do its job”.
Persistent failure to lodge bonds: First ever court case
30 March 2021 - A Tauranga landlord has been taken to court for breaching a restraining order in relation to repeatedly failing to lodge bonds in the first case of its type in New Zealand.
Better research wanted for privacy probe into landlords
16 March 2021 - Residential tenants are being asked to spill the beans on what information landlords are requiring before renting them a property.
Harassment ends with substantial damages award
16 March 2021 - A Wellington landlord has been ordered to pay $1,000 in exemplary damages for harassing a tenant.
Tribunal divvies up blame in maintenance ruling
6 November 2020 - New Zealand’s aging housing stock and tradition of informal landlord-tenant relationships have the potential for complex disputes where fault lies with both parties – as illustrated by a recent Tenancy Tribunal ruling.
Market influencers going forward...
2 November 2020 - Value growth is accelerating and one property expert is picking that Government construction plans and the role of LVRs will dominate market discussion of the trend going forward.
Most expensive rental region a surprise
30 October 2020 - Think that rents in the Super City or the Capital are the highest in the country? Well, you’d be wrong. It’s Porirua which is the costliest district to rent in.
Dunedin in demand
29 October 2020 - A supply and demand imbalance together with improved housing stock mean Dunedin’s values are on the rise, writes Joanna Jefferies.
Education for landlords by landlords
23 October 2020 - Self-managing landlords are signing up in droves for the NZ Property Investors Federation’s new education programme which aims to help landlords run their properties like professionals.
What lies ahead for investors
21 October 2020 - Election 2020 is done and dusted – and a red landslide has left the Labour Party firmly in charge of the next government. But what could that mean for property investors?
COMMENT: Accessing commercial property assets
9 October 2020 - Small investors can access big commercial property assets, Craigs Investment Partners head of private wealth research Mark Lister explains how.
No sign of investor exodus
8 October 2020 - It looks as though residential landlords are not exiting the market in droves as a result of the Government’s tenancy law reforms and other investor-focused policy changes.
Tenancy reforms, tax changes would go under National
5 October 2020 - Getting rid of the Government’s tenancy law reforms and tax changes that impact on rental property owners are a key feature of the National Party’s new housing policy.
Big damage pay-out awarded to landlord
5 October 2020 - Tenant liability for damage has long been a fraught issue but a new Tenancy Tribunal case shows that damage rulings can sometimes favour a landlord.
Labour plans to regulate property managers
2 October 2020 - Property managers will be regulated and subject to a Code of Conduct to ensure they meet professional standards if the Labour Party returns to power after the election.
Wairarapa on the move
30 September 2020 - A tight rental market and low sales stock mean Wairarapa’s property market is on the up, writes Joanna Jefferies.
Healthy Homes standards: to back or to scrap?
28 September 2020 - Landlords are divided over Barfoot & Thompson’s recent call to the National Party to hold fire on their plans to overturn the Healthy Homes standards if elected.
Call for rent caps after freeze ends
21 September 2020 - Rents are set to go up for many as the Covid-19 prompted freeze on rent increases comes to an end later this week, but tenant advocates are now calling for rents to be capped.
Ex-partner’s behaviour not a tenancy breach
15 September 2020 - Tenant responsibility for the behaviour of other people on the premises can have limits depending on the circumstances, a new Tenancy Tribunal ruling indicates.
COMMENT: Furore over Healthy Homes story misleading
8 September 2020 - Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. It’s a tried and tested adage – and it’s one the NZ Property Investors Federation president felt the brunt of yesterday, muses NZ Property Investor editor Miriam Bell.
Moving rent tech out of the past
2 September 2020 - Recent tenancy law changes mean residential landlords will need to stay firmly on top of their rent collection processes – and a newly launched app aims to help them do that.
Online rent talk attracts ComCom attention
31 August 2020 - Think it’s okay to post about increasing rents on social media? Well, think again. That’s the warning contained in a Commerce Commission letter sent to property investor representatives last week.
Steady Southern star
31 August 2020 - Covid-19 and the closure of Tiwai Point might pose some challenges for Invercargill but the southern city’s market still has a lot to offer investors, writes Miriam Bell
No rent growth for first time in three years
25 August 2020 - The gap between the supply of available rental properties and demand for them is closing and that means rental growth is slowing.
Routine inspection pays off
24 August 2020 - Meth contamination was just one of the breaches uncovered during a routine property inspection that led to a firm Tenancy Tribunal ruling in favour of the landlord.
Changes to RTA now in force
19 August 2020 - The Government’s controversial tenancy law reforms are now law after the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2020 received Royal Assent on 11 August 2020.
The return of Covid-19: what it means for landlords
12 August 2020 - After 102 days, Covid-19 is back and that means Auckland is returning to alert level three, while the rest of New Zealand will go to alert level two, on Wednesday. So what does that mean for landlords?
Greens propose more landlord regulations
10 August 2020 - Rental Warrants of Fitness. Licensing for landlords and property managers. They are ideas long held dear by the Green Party and, sure enough, they both feature in the Green’s new housing policy.
Persistent RTA breaches cost landlord
6 August 2020 - Ongoing disregard for her obligations under residential tenancy law has resulted in a hefty fine for a notorious Christchurch landlord.
New rental laws will have unexpected outcomes
6 August 2020 - Watch out – some of the tenancy reforms now set to become law will have unintended consequences and cause more harm than good, REINZ is warning.
Radical tenancy reforms now law
5 August 2020 - Shock and dismay. That’s what landlords around New Zealand are feeling after Parliament passed the Government’s controversial tenancy law reforms into law late Wednesday.
The final countdown
1 August 2020 - This week was supposed to see the second reading of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill in Parliament. That didn’t come about. So what happens now?
Queenstown rents take a nosedive
31 July 2020 - Covid-19 has hit the Queenstown rental market hard, with new data showing that rents in the holiday hotspot have plummeted by 28% on June last year.
Crunch time for tenancy law reforms
27 July 2020 - The Government’s tenancy law reforms are up for their second reading in Parliament this week – and landlord advocates are urging people to contact MPs with their concerns before midday Tuesday.
Partner’s residence breached tenancy agreement
20 July 2020 - More people living in a rental property than allowed under the tenancy agreement is a common problem, but a recent Tenancy Tribunal ruling demonstrates why landlords should address this issue.
COMMENT: Disappointment with the RTA Bill
13 July 2020 - The NZ Property Investors’ Federation is disappointed only minimal changes made to the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill.
Select Committee green lights tenancy law reforms
10 July 2020 - Extreme disappointment is the response of property professionals to the Select Committee report on the Government’s proposed tenancy law reforms which was released this week.
COMMENT: A call to arms
7 July 2020 - Concerned about the Government’s tenancy law reforms? Well, there is now less than a week to speak up about them - so NZ Property Investor editor Miriam Bell urges landlords to make their views heard.
Four new buyers’ markets emerge
1 July 2020 - A surge in new property listings around much of New Zealand has turned four regions into buyers’ markets, new Realestate.co.nz data reveals.
COMMENT: Are Airbnb hosts in breach of the RTA?
30 June 2020 - Landlords could be using short term booking sites like Airbnb in an attempt to contract out of the Residential Tenancies Act, but by doing so they are exposing themselves to substantial risk and possible rent refunds, writes property management consultant David Faulkner.
COMMENT: Don’t discount migration as a demand driver
26 June 2020 - There are reasons why we shouldn’t completely ignore migration as a continued support for property, CoreLogic’s Kelvin Davidson* explains…
Mortgage borrowing rebounds in May
25 June 2020 - New mortgage borrowing rose by roughly $1.6 billion in May as the property market showed signs of recovery from the Covid-19 lockdown.
SuperCity yields improving
25 June 2020 - Investors take note - record low mortgage rates mean the yields on Auckland rental properties are starting to look more attractive.
What’s going on in the rental market
25 June 2020 - There’s been a big increase in rental supply in some of New Zealand’s tourism hotspots, according to Trade Me Property’s latest rental data.
Mould complaint doesn’t warrant reduced tenancy term
23 June 2020 - Many landlords are concerned the Tenancy Tribunal tends to favour tenants but one recent decision shows that’s not always the case.
Tenancy termination ban lifted
18 June 2020 - The end is nigh for emergency tenancy measures introduced during the Covid-19 lockdown with the Government today confirming the measures won’t be extended.
Southland comes up trumps for investors
17 June 2020 - Investors keen to pick up a good deal should look south as a new REINZ report shows that Southland is, once again, the country’s highest performing region for residential property investors.
Wind up emergency tenancy provisions now - REINZ
12 June 2020 - Emergency tenancy provisions introduced because of Covid-19 are now doing more harm than good so it’s time to bring them to an end, the Real Estate Institute says.
Trading NZPIF places
12 June 2020 - It’s a case of trading places at the NZ Property Investors’ Federation now that it’s been announced that long-serving executive officer Andrew King has taken up the role of president.
Level one: the new normal
11 June 2020 - New Zealand is a few days into alert level one and that means the residential property sector is seeing some changes as we all adjust to the “new normal”.
What lockdown meant for landlords’ finances
8 June 2020 - Many landlords were financially affected by the Covid-19 lockdown with nearly 50% seeing a reduced income, according to a new NZ Property Investors Federation (NZPIF) survey.
COMMENT: Will level one mean level one for residential landlords?
7 June 2020 - Cabinet is considering a move to alert level one tomorrow, so does that mean it will all be back to normal for New Zealand's 290,000 rental property owners and managers, Tenancies War spokesman Mike Butler* asks.
Bright spots in commercial outlook
5 June 2020 - Nearly 60% of commercial property investors think that opportunities lie ahead but they are also believe there are changes in store for the sector.
Concerns over commercial rent dispute plan
4 June 2020 - Too little, too late. That’s what commercial landlords’ advocates have to say about the Government’s newly announced $40 million commercial rent dispute package.
Compliance statement deadline extended
2 June 2020 - There’s some relief for struggling landlords with the announcement today that the Healthy Homes Compliance Statement deadline has been extended for an additional five months.
No post-Covid-19 dent in asking prices
2 June 2020 - Covid-19 has not diminished the price expectations of property sellers with new data revealing that average asking prices hit record highs in seven regions in May.
Major industrial development powers on
29 May 2020 - It’s full steam ahead for the Stevenson Group’s $800 million, 361-hectare industrial and residential development in South Auckland – despite the uncertainties of the post-Covid-19 era.
Resilience needed in face of change
28 May 2020 - The Reserve Bank says the commercial property sector is vulnerable to the Covid-19 crisis. But PMG Funds' chief executive believes that while there’ll be short-term pain, the biggest long-term impact will be structural change.
COMMENT: Housing supply increase is being hampered
22 May 2020 - The much-needed increase in housing supply is being hindered by new legislation relating to rental properties, warns NZ Property Investors Federation executive officer Sharon Cullwick.
Downward pressures might push investors out
21 May 2020 - There’s a major housing market downturn coming and it’s likely to reduce the number of investors in the market, according to ANZ economists.
Rent arrears end tenancies in lockdown
20 May 2020 - The Covid-19 crisis saw the introduction of emergency rules which make it harder to terminate tenancies, but a recent Tenancy Tribunal ruling shows that racking up rental arrears can still mean the end of a tenancy.
Rent increase freeze to change the market
19 May 2020 - Lockdown restrictions made for an inevitable slow down in the rental market in April but Trade Me Property’s new data highlights questions over the future direction of the market.
Navigating level two: what landlords need to know
18 May 2020 - With around 95% of businesses now back at work and children returning to schools today, New Zealand is now fully ensconced in alert level two. So what does that mean for residential landlords?
How Budget 2020 supports the housing market
14 May 2020 - Was Budget 2020 transformational? Experts are debating that now but, whether or not it turns out to be, it does provide some support for the residential property market going forward.
COMMENT: Which property markets are most vulnerable?
13 May 2020 - In the coming months, all parts of the country are likely to feel some degree of property pain, but CoreLogic’s Kelvin Davidson* has taken a look at which areas might be hardest hit.
Elephant in the room at level two
12 May 2020 - It’s official: New Zealand will be moving to alert level two by Thursday and thousands of workers will be returning to work, but issues remain for the commercial property sector.
There’s life in the market yet
11 May 2020 - The residential property market might currently be lacking in strength, but those working in the sector don’t see it as suffering from widespread weakness, according to economist Tony Alexander’s latest poll.
Investors expect road ahead to be tougher
8 May 2020 - Most investors believe that conditions will get harder for property investors over the next year but not just because of the Covid-19 crisis, a new survey by NZ Property Investor has found.
Real estate in level two
7 May 2020 - Open homes. Rental viewings. Auctions. They look to be on the cards again soon, with the country heading towards alert level two.
Capital investor calls for commercial rates moratorium
6 May 2020 - Councils should offer a one-year moratorium on rates to commercial landlords who are struggling with the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis, a prominent Wellington property investor argues.
Market enters unknown waters
6 May 2020 - There’s no doubt New Zealand’s housing market was performing strongly heading into lockdown but, as QV’s latest data makes clear, the market has now entered unknown waters.
Contactless solution for rental viewings
4 May 2020 - Rental viewings are once again possible but in a post-lockdown world they have to be run very differently - and a new property tech solution could be the answer.
SuperCity sales fall 50% in lockdown
4 May 2020 - Auckland property sales in April were down by 50% on March but the true effect of the lockdown won’t show up until May’s trading data is compiled, according to Barfoot & Thompson.
Majority of MPs qualify as property investors
1 May 2020 - It’s impossible to ignore New Zealanders’ love for property as an investment – and this is highlighted by the holdings of our MPs, a majority of whom qualify as multiple property owners.
Insurance FAQs for uncertain times
1 May 2020 - COVID-19 is set to be with us for many months ahead, so the Insurance Council of New Zealand has answered some commonly asked questions for landlords…
Govt considers commercial rent relief solutions
30 April 2020 - Mounting costs for small businesses trying to deal with the economic fallout of Covid-19 have prompted the Government to consider rent relief options.
Covid-19 could strike REITs a hard blow
30 April 2020 - The hit from the Covid-19 crisis could last longer and deeper than just the lockdown period for Australian and New Zealand real estate investment trusts (REITs).
What alert level three means for landlords
29 April 2020 - New Zealand has now moved out of alert level four lockdown to alert level three and that means a few less restrictions for residential rental property owners. Here’s some guidance on what the new rules are…
House price drops are short-lived - Alexander
24 April 2020 - Periods of house price decline are rare and "short-lived", says economist Tony Alexander, amid forecasts of a drop of 10%-15% this year.
Rental market showing signs of life again
23 April 2020 - Covid-19 bought New Zealand’s rental market to a standstill but recent activity on Trade Me Property suggests tenants are starting to return to the market.
Private property viewings allowed under level three
23 April 2020 - The property market has received a boost after Housing Minister Megan Woods confirmed that private viewings will be allowed under alert level three.
Share your views on what Covid-19 means for investors
21 April 2020 - We want to know how property investors in New Zealand are responding to the Covid-19 crisis and its effects on the market...
NZPIF conference 2020 postponed
20 April 2020 - The New Zealand Property Investors' Federation annual conference, which was due to be held in October, has been postponed till next year.
COMMENT: The rental housing conundrum
20 April 2020 - Still simmering away below all the Covid-19 virus activity is the Government’s “reform” of the Residential Tenancy Act and that’s something we should all be concerned about, writes Auckland Property Investors Association vice-president Peter Lewis…
COMMENT: The ongoing fight for landlords’ rights
18 April 2020 - Proposed changes to tenancy law have left landlords fighting to retain the right to end difficult tenancies while students are fighting for the right to party, reports NZ Property Investors Federation executive officer Sharon Cullwick.
Life at level three for residential landlords
17 April 2020 - It won’t be a full release from lockdown but moving to alert level three will mean businesses that can operate safely will be able to reopen. So what does that mean when it comes to residential property?
More relief needed for commercial property sector
16 April 2020 - New measures to help out commercial landlords and tenants struggling with Covid-19 related lease issues have been announced – but the Property Council is warning that more support is needed.
One in five tenancies could fall into arrears
14 April 2020 - The Covid-19 crisis will result in greater falls in rents and higher default rates in regions, or suburbs, with higher rents, according to property management companies.
“No access in emergency” lease clause: putting it in context
8 April 2020 - Much attention has focused on a commercial property lease clause which could mean commercial tenants don’t have to pay all their rent during lockdown, so the Auckland District Law Society is providing more information about it...
Tenancy reform Select Committee hearings to go ahead
7 April 2020 - The Covid-19 lockdown may have put a halt to most Parliamentary business but not, it turns out, to the progress of the Government’s controversial tenancy law reforms.
Lockdown market sentiment
6 April 2020 - Caution might dominate property sector participants’ takes on the market, but independent economist Tony Alexander’s latest polling reveals that not all investors are taking a step back.
How the lockdown is affecting landlords
3 April 2020 - It’s not just tenants who are feeling the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown – residential landlords are too, with a new survey showing that the personal income of 59% of them has been affected.
COMMENT: Making sense of it all: COVID-19, the economy & property
2 April 2020 - The Covid-19 crisis means everything is changing fast, so CoreLogic’s Kelvin Davidson* has put together his 10 key points on what to be aware of when it comes to the property market.
Moving properties during COVID-19 lockdown
30 March 2020 - Confused about whether tenants can move properties during the lockdown? If so, you’re not alone – so Tenancy Services has now released some advice around the issue.
Commercial sector facing hundreds of millions in lost revenue
27 March 2020 - Some large commercial tenants are refusing to pay rent and this could devastate the commercial property sector, the Property Council New Zealand is warning.
Landlords’ plea: don’t unfairly target us
27 March 2020 - There are growing concerns among many landlords about unreasonable expectations from tenants, and the Government, in relation to rent during the lockdown.
Emergency rules boost tenant protections
25 March 2020 - Landlords can't raise rents or evict tenants, expect in specific situations, during the Covid-19 lockdown – but tenants do have obligations too.
Covid-19 crisis: what landlords need to know
25 March 2020 - [UPDATED] The Covid-19 crisis means that New Zealand is now in a State of National Emergency and the nationwide lockdown begins tonight.
COMMENT: Property from the trenches
24 March 2020 - Covid-19's major impact on New Zealand's economy means job losses and that has implications for landlords. Veteran investor Debbie Van Den Broek offers some suggestions on how landlords can weather the storm.
Freeze on rent rises introduced - temporarily
23 March 2020 - The Government has introduced a freeze on rent increases on residential rental properties as part of the economic measures announced in the fight against Covid-19 and its impacts.
Put RTA reform proposals on ice
23 March 2020 - Now is not the time for the Government to push through its proposed tenancy law reforms, property market players say.
How to address tenant job loss in the age of coronavirus
20 March 2020 - Compassion should be key to how landlords deal with tenants affected by coronavirus job losses but, ultimately, they are running a business and still need to pay their mortgages.
Battle against RTA reforms continues
18 March 2020 - Coronavirus might be dominating the headlines but investor advocates are urging landlords not to forget about the threat posed by the proposed reforms to tenancy law.
What coronavirus means for property investors
16 March 2020 - Welcome to Fortress New Zealand. The coronavirus crisis means that strict travel bans are now in force and a recession is expected. So what does that mean for property investors going forward?
New loan to boost energy-efficient housing
13 March 2020 - There’s an ongoing push towards greener, healthier homes and now Westpac is joining the drive, with a new loan product for its home loan customers.
Get on top of boarding house rules
11 March 2020 - There’s a fair bit of uncertainty around boarding houses and Tenancy Services is warning landlords they need to know the law around this area.
National would ditch proposed rental regulations
9 March 2020 - The Government’s controversial tenancy law reforms would be among the first regulations National would throw on to the regulations “bonfire” it is planning if elected.
Failure to lodge bonds earns major penalty
6 March 2020 - A Tauranga property management company has been ordered to pay $16,417 for failing to lodge bonds within the required timeframe on multiple occasions.
SuperCity sales soar up
4 March 2020 - Auckland sales activity soared back to life in February with Barfoot & Thompson recording its highest number of sales in five years.
Values escape coronavirus contagion
4 March 2020 - There’s no escaping the spectre of coronavirus right now but it hasn’t had an impact on the property market with new QV data showing it continues to strengthen.
On the brink of a crisis
3 March 2020 - Proposed tenancy law changes, which come in an environment of rental shortage, are on the brink of creating a low socioeconomic rental crisis.
Removal of no-cause notice opposed by 45% of tenants
2 March 2020 - It’s not just landlords who are opposed to the removal of the no-cause 90-day notice: a new REINZ survey reveals that close to half of tenants are too.
COMMENT: Act against radical tenancy changes
2 March 2020 - New Zealand’s 290,000 rental property owners should resist radical changes to the Residential Tenancies Act both by submission and by their vote in this year’s election, argues Tenancies War spokesman Mike Butler.
Manawatu on the move
28 February 2020 - Skyrocketing values and a serious supply shortage characterise the Palmerston North and Feilding markets, writes Joanna Jefferies.
Tenancy reform submissions due March 25
26 February 2020 - Worried about the government’s tenancy law reforms? You’d better speak up soon because there’s under a month to make a submission on the legislation.
The cost of overstaying tenants
26 February 2020 - Getting tenants to leave a rental property at the end of a tenancy can be problematic. Here’s a new Tenancy Tribunal ruling which serves as yet another example.
RTA reforms pile pressure on landlords
24 February 2020 - Less rental properties and higher rents could result from the reforms contained in the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, both Opposition MPs and government officials are warning.
Full steam ahead for tenancy reforms
21 February 2020 - Landlords won’t have long to have their say on the government’s tenancy law reform proposals after Parliament voted that the Select Committee dealing with the legislation should report back by 22 June.
Tenancy reform bill hits Parliament
17 February 2020 - Controversial tenancy law reforms, in the form of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, were introduced into Parliament on Monday and property industry players are not happy about it.
REINZ & NZPIF join up to battle RTA changes
16 February 2020 - Concerns about the government’s proposed tenancy law changes are running high and this has prompted REINZ and the NZPIF to join forces to fight them.
Government brokers to match landlords with tenants
14 February 2020 - A newly established housing broker service will be reaching out to private landlords to get them on board to support the government’s $300 million homelessness action plan.
Rental contaminated, not damaged by meth
11 February 2020 - Establishing meth contamination of a rental property, and working out the penalties for any damage, can be a complex business these days - as a recent Tenancy Tribunal decision illustrates.
COMMENT: Checking in on insulation
7 February 2020 - Sizzling summer temperatures might be hitting towns all round New Zealand yet the insulation of rental properties remains a hot topic, writes NZ Property Investor editor Miriam Bell.
Could a shift in the listings shortage be coming?
3 February 2020 - More properties are coming on to the housing market but there’s still a nationwide shortage with the number of homes for sale down by over 20% year-on-year.
SuperCity rents moving up - slowly
31 January 2020 - Auckland rents may be high but they’re not going up at the rate often suggested, with new data showing rental prices rose more slowly in 2019 than in previous years.
Getting heating right
24 January 2020 - Heating requirements for rental properties are currently a source of confusion for many landlords and property managers so REINZ has issued a reminder of what is required.
Demand for rentals running hot
23 January 2020 - Rents are set to rise to record highs as new Trade Me Property data shows demand for rental property nationwide has continued to grow.
Threat to assault ends problem tenancy
21 January 2020 - Terminating the tenancy of badly behaving tenants can be a dangerous and difficult business as demonstrated by a recent Tenancy Tribunal case.
Call for apartment law reform petition support
17 January 2020 - The campaign to reform apartment law is heating up once again with National MPs urging property owners to sign a petition calling for changes to the law.
Evidence needed to support Tribunal claims
13 January 2020 - Landlord concerns about tenants angling for legal compensation for problems with their rental properties might be allayed a little by a recent Tenancy Tribunal ruling.
Hot demand in Hawke’s Bay
31 December 2019 - A severe housing shortage in Napier and Hastings means house values and rents are on the rise, writes Joanna Jefferies.
COMMENT: Off-the-plan investing in 2020
27 December 2019 - Interested in the idea of investing off-the-plan? Propellor Property Investments founder Nikki Conners* explains what you need to know about off-the-plan investing going into 2020.
Bachcare convicted of misleading consumers
20 December 2019 - Misleading consumers – via the editing and withholding of online reviews - has earned holiday rental accommodation company Bachcare a conviction and a hefty fine.
Defining “clean and tidy”
10 December 2019 - The issue of exactly how clean and tidy rental properties should be when tenants vacate has long been a battleground but a recent Tenancy Tribunal decision provides some guidance.
COMMENT: Landlords obligations to tenants
10 December 2019 - Do landlords have moral and social obligations towards their tenants, asks Auckland Property Investors Association vice-president Peter Lewis.
COMMENT: Unlawful premises – moving past Anderson v FM Custodians
26 November 2019 - Curious about the law around the use of non-residential property for residential purposes? Auckland Property Investors Association member Kristine King* explains the situation now that there’s new legislation in place.
Pre-summer pick up for rental market
22 November 2019 - The rental market is heating up for summer with both tenant demand and rents on the rise around the country, new Trade Me data suggests.
COMMENT: Removing 90-day notices - the impacts
20 November 2019 - Being a successful landlord is all about managing risk but getting rid of “no cause” 90-day’ notices means risk will skyrocket, argues NZ Property Investor Federation executive member Brian Kerr.
Key reform will only protect bad tenants
18 November 2019 - Getting rid of “no cause” termination notices only serves to protect bad tenants and will have a negative impact on the broader community, not just landlords, according to landlord advocates.
Changes to RTA announced
17 November 2019 - The Government announced its long awaited tenancy law reforms on Sunday and they mean that landlords will no longer be able to get rid of tenants without reason.
Record prices round NZ
14 November 2019 - It looks like the sleeping giant of New Zealand’s housing market could be stirring, with new REINZ data showing that both sales and prices in Auckland are up.
More than fair “wear and tear”
12 November 2019 - Proving tenant liability for damage has long been a major worry for landlords but a recent Tenancy Tribunal ruling shows that it can be done.
The getting of wisdom
11 November 2019 - Landlords concerned about the increasing amount of rules and regulations it’s necessary to comply with can now get training to help them out.
COMMENT: The truth about tenancy terminations
5 November 2019 - The Government wants to get rid of “no-cause” tenancy terminations. Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis explains why that is a bad idea.
Demand challenges for commercial sector
31 October 2019 - Vacancy rates in the commercial property sector are set to increase as changing economic conditions dampen demand.
Smaller properties, better rent growth
29 October 2019 - Two-bedroom properties and central city apartments are seeing the strongest growth in rents in the Auckland region, new Barfoot & Thompson data reveals.
Strong meth suspicions call for testing
21 October 2019 - Panic around the meth contamination of rentals has diminished, but a Tenancy Tribunal decision reinforces that landlords still have an obligation to test properties when contamination is suspected.
Surge in rental demand in Palmerston North
18 October 2019 - Palmerston North’s rental market is running hot with enquiries about rental properties skyrocketing up by 50% year-on-year in September, new Trade Me Property data shows.
COMMENT: Sign of changing times
17 October 2019 - Fletcher Building opened a flash, new, high tech, prefabricated house building factory yesterday. Great things are expected of it, but Miriam Bell ponders what it means for your average investor.
New ring-fencing rules in play
11 October 2019 - Landlords - don’t forget about the Government’s changes to the rules around the ring-fencing of rental losses as they are now in force, Inland Revenue is warning.
COMMENT: Getting to grips with tenancy disputes
7 October 2019 - Widespread ignorance of tenancy law is behind current representations of residential tenancy disputes which feature tenants as victims, writes Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis…
Airbnb room rental not bylaw violation
4 October 2019 - Renting a spare bedroom on Airbnb was a breach of the tenancy agreement but it did not constitute an unlawful act - under a local body by-law - by the tenant, the Tenancy Tribunal has found.
Bad behaviour behind most 90-day notices
27 September 2019 - Getting rid of “no cause” terminations won’t benefit good tenants but it will help bad tenants - as most 90-day notices are due to poor tenant behaviour, landlords are warning.
Govt must regulate property managers - REINZ
25 September 2019 - REINZ has stepped up its campaign to introduce national regulation for property managers with the launch today of a new website devoted to the cause.
Build-to-rent momentum grows
29 August 2019 - The Government needs to better enable the growth of New Zealand’s fledgling build-to-rent sector if it wants to alleviate the country’s housing shortage.
COMMENT: The dangers of neglecting code compliance certificates
28 August 2019 - It’s a legal requirement for commercial buildings to have a Code Compliance Certificate yet many don’t. Building compliance expert Rosie Kilip explains why this is not a good thing...
The staggered rise of big city rents
27 August 2019 - Rents in Auckland and Wellington are up from this time last year – but they have been flatlining in recent months, according to new data from Trade Me Property.
A tale of two cities prices
20 August 2019 - Asking prices in Auckland continue to decline while Wellington’s asking prices are still running hot, according to the latest Trade Me Property Price Index.
New privacy guidelines welcomed
19 August 2019 - Confusion over what information landlords can ask for when selecting tenants should be eased by a new set of guidelines from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC).
Tenants need to know about insurance
7 August 2019 - Take note landlords – if you are worried about liability for tenant damage, the time to talk to your tenants about insurance is now.
Affordability key to value growth
7 August 2019 - Whether values are going up or down in markets around the country, new QV data highlights that affordability – or the lack of – is a key determinant.
Tribunal fines landlord for insulation fail
7 August 2019 - Failure to install insulation into a rental property by the July 1 deadline has earned a Bay of Plenty landlord a $1,500 penalty and a work order.
Greens renew call for tougher tenancy laws
4 August 2019 - Getting rid of no cause rental terminations and the introduction of a Warrant of Fitness for rentals are critical parts of the Green Party’s renewed focus on housing announced at their Annual Conference over the weekend.
Pushing up the national average price
1 August 2019 - The main centres used to drive New Zealand’s market but it was strong provincial markets that contributed to the national average asking price’s rise in July.
Pace of rent growth slows in Super City
31 July 2019 - Auckland rents might be steep but new data from Barfoot & Thompson reveals the rate they are increasing at has been slowing for the last three years.
COMMENT: The coming rental housing crisis
30 July 2019 - Failure of government to reverse policies will result in a calamitous fall in houses to rent and escalating rents in a crisis unseen since the 1930’s, writes veteran property investor Jonathan Bidmead.
Rental stock can’t match demand
29 July 2019 - Pressure continues to build in the rental market as Trade Me Property’s latest rental data shows soaring demand and a decline in available stock.
New tenant damage, meth measures are only partial solutions
26 July 2019 - Changes to the legislation around tenant damage and meth contamination have been years in the making but now they are finally here are they any good for landlords?
Tenants liable for careless damage – to a point
25 July 2019 - Tenants will now have to take some responsibility for careless damage to rental properties after the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No. 2) passed its final reading in Parliament on Wednesday.
The costs of rental policy changes
24 July 2019 - The deluge of policy changes to the regulations governing rental property are a key headwind for the housing market, according to ANZ economists.
A world of declining yields
21 July 2019 - There was gold in regional rental yields in recent years but that’s changing as property prices in smaller markets go up and their yields go down.
It’s all about supply
19 July 2019 - New Zealand’s housing shortage is getting worse, not better, and that’s why huge price falls are unlikely going forward, according to Kiwibank economists.
Bachcare charged with misleading consumers
16 July 2019 - The Commerce Commission alleges the online holiday rental booking platform has manipulated online user reviews it has received.
Super City changes enabled by Unitary Plan
16 July 2019 - Investors – take note: Auckland’s housing stock is changing with nearly two thirds of the new dwelling consents in May for apartments and townhouses.
Changes to quake prone building system
15 July 2019 - Owners of earthquake-prone buildings (EPBs) will now be able to conduct modest building alterations without having to undertake seismic strengthening work at the same time.
Shining the light on unit titles
12 July 2019 - The unit title sector is one of the most misunderstood areas of property ownership so Tenancy Services has launched a new website to help out those affected.
COMMENT: Loss ring-fencing ups war on renters & owners
10 July 2019 - New rules around the ring-fencing of rental property losses came into force late in June and Stop the War on Tenancies spokesman Mike Butler believes they’ll have a negative impact on the rental market...
Getting end of tenancy clean ups right
5 July 2019 - Confusion over what leaving a property “reasonably clean and tidy” at the end of a tenancy means has prompted a call for prescriptive guidelines from Tenancy Services.
Join the office space revolution
4 July 2019 - Flexible working spaces are more than just a fleeting trend and the launch of a new co-working serviced office franchise programme will open up the market to investors.
COMMENT: The Sound of One Hand Clapping
2 July 2019 - Two of our Lords and Masters have recently been laid low yet landlords are still treated as the problem rather than part of the solution, argues Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis…
Insulation D-Day
1 July 2019 - Today’s the day that all rental properties must have ceiling and underfloor insulation under the Residential Tenancies Act – and it looks like the majority will be compliant.
Foreign buyer ban impacts Queenstown Lakes
27 June 2019 - The foreign buyer ban impact was felt the most in Queenstown Lakes, but despite slowing growth, the market has attractive features for buyers, writes Joanna Jefferies.
COMMENT: The compliance struggle
26 June 2019 - For many property investors, the end goal is setting themselves up for retirement – but new requirements are making that harder. Investor Dale Young explains how his retirement project is turning into a compliance nightmare...
COMMENT: Ditching Accommodation Supplement not the answer
12 June 2019 - Tenant advocates have long claimed the Accommodation Supplement benefits landlords over tenants but those demanding it be scrapped are ignoring some relevant facts, says NZ Property Investors Federation executive officer Andrew King.
Call to license landlords
10 June 2019 - There’s a fresh demand for the mandatory licensing of landlords – and this time it comes from property manager representatives.
Serial failure to lodge bonds earns massive fine
6 June 2019 - The importance of lodging tenants’ bond money is demonstrated by a new Tenancy Tribunal ruling which orders an Auckland landlord to pay nearly $180,000.
Manage your value expectations
6 June 2019 - Property owners thinking of selling up are being told to manage their expectations as the latest QV data highlights that New Zealand’s housing market is slowing, but steady.
COMMENT: Tenant selection turned into a lotto draw
1 June 2019 - The Privacy Commissioner has created a lotto draw for tenant selection with the recent release of some ill-conceived guidelines, writes property management consultant David Faulkner.
Don’t wait - get compliant
30 May 2019 - Radical, costly and with issues? Yes. But the new Healthy Homes minimum standards are warranted and will improve New Zealand’s housing stock, according to one property management consultant.
Applying for a tenancy like applying for a job
25 May 2019 - Credit checks should only be conducted after someone becomes the preferred candidate for a tenancy - not in the early stage of the application process, according to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
No extensions for insulation compliance
24 May 2019 - There will be no extensions for landlords who don’t comply with the 2016 insulation requirements, the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment is warning.
Credit check ban unreasonable
23 May 2019 - Preventing landlords from running credit checks on prospective tenants - as mandated by new privacy guidelines - is not reasonable, tenancy experts say.
COMMENT: Why the new standards are not the answer
23 May 2019 - The final version of the Government’s new Healthy Homes minimum standards came out last week. Stop the War on Tenancies spokesman Mike Butler tells us what he thinks about them…
What landlords can't ask tenants
22 May 2019 - Think you know what you can ask a prospective tenant? It might pay to check out the Privacy Commissioner’s new guidelines to see if what you are asking really is acceptable.
Warning: insulation deadline looming
21 May 2019 - Landlords take note: there’s only 40 days left to insulate rental properties before a $4,000 fine from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) comes into play.
Standards set to cost
17 May 2019 - Nearly 60% of Auckland property investors believe they will have to spend money to be compliant with the new Healthy Homes minimum standards, according to new Crockers research.
It’s the law: Healthy Homes standards
13 May 2019 - The Government’s Healthy Homes minimum standards will be law from 1 July 2019 – even though their final form won’t be released until later this week.
COMMENT: Ring-fencing impact likely to be limited
13 May 2019 - The new rules around the ring-fencing of rental losses are unlikely to cause a sea-change in investor behaviour, according to CoreLogic senior property economist Kelvin Davidson.
Beware unauthorised trades work
8 May 2019 - Property owners are being warned not to fall into the trap of using unlicensed people to conduct plumbing work on renovation projects.
COMMENT: Punishing landlords won’t solve crisis
6 May 2019 - The capital gains tax debate is over, but landlords are still being scapegoated as the focus turns to Healthy Homes, argues Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis…
Tardy repairs earn $2000 fine
3 May 2019 - Slow action on a leaky roof has earned a property management company and an absentee landlord a fine and a reprimand from the Tenancy Tribunal.
Gateway to returns
2 May 2019 - Upper Hutt has long been overlooked as an investment option but its affordable prices, strong yields and tight rental market mean it is now attracting attention, reports Miriam Bell.
IAG boosts premiums to reflect risks
30 April 2019 - New Zealand’s largest general insurer will be taking more account of risk in its premiums and that means customers in disaster-prone areas will face bigger costs.
High demand makes for rent rises
29 April 2019 - Strong demand for rental properties nationwide means Trade Me Property’s latest data shows year-on-year rent rises in every region.
CGT reprieve
17 April 2019 - New Zealand will not see the introduction of a capital gains tax after the Coalition Government was unable to reach a consensus on the issue.
Changing world, changing property market
11 April 2019 - Technology and changes to the way people work are set to transform the commercial property sector and investors need to be attuned to these developments.
Policy king hit
8 April 2019 - Investors have recently been dealt a double whammy with the concurrent release of the Tax Working Group’s recommendations on capital gains and the Healthy Homes minimum standards.
Yields creeping upwards
5 April 2019 - After many years in the wilderness, yields on rental properties are picking up – which should appeal to those trying to adapt to the changing property investment landscape.
COMMENT: Tax deductibility of rental property upgrades
4 April 2019 - Rental property upgrades required by the Healthy Homes minimum standards will make the area of tax deductibility even more thorny, writes Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis…
Top yields in City of Sales
1 April 2019 - Investor-style apartment sale prices have taken a hit recently: does this represent an opportunity for investors? Joanna Jefferies investigates.
Treat rental properties as a business
30 March 2019 - The need for landlords to treat their rental properties as a business is highlighted by three new Tenancy Tribunal rulings.
Investors hold properties for longer
20 March 2019 - Public perception has it that investors spend their time flipping properties on a regular basis but new analysis shows they hold properties for longer than other buyers.
Boom time in student rental market
14 March 2019 - Landlords who are active in the student rental market are reaping the benefits as the academic year kicks off, according to Trade Me Property.
COMMENT: Property reno - where are the tradies?
5 March 2019 - What seemed like a straight-forward renovation job on a rental property left Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis wondering where all the tradies have gone when we need them so much…
Garden City gears up
4 March 2019 - A plateau in values and rents has been a feature of the southwest Christchurch market for some time, but this year the market looks on the up, writes Joanna Jefferies.
Scope of CGT likely to narrow
26 February 2019 - Government assurances that they are not bound by the Tax Working Group’s recommendations are increasing concerns that a capital gains tax will be applied to rental properties alone.
What you need to know about body corporates
26 February 2019 - Body corporate issues regularly turn up in court. So Auckland District Law Society president Joanna Pidgeon explains what investors need to know about them to avoid ending up in a legal battle.
Cost of standards will hit tenants
25 February 2019 - Parts of the Government’s new Healthy Homes minimum standards are not cost-effective and that will impact on tenants, according to investor advocates.
Revealed: Healthy Homes minimum standards
24 February 2019 - The Government’s minimum standards to make rental properties healthier for tenants have finally been released – but landlords will have five years to comply with them.
The DIY landlords
18 February 2019 - INVESTOR PROFILE: One young Masterton couple have amassed a portfolio with 13 income streams in four years and their story proves that the DIY route is a strategy to seriously consider.
Altered landscape for investors
7 February 2019 - This year’s Squirrel property investors’ survey reveals that uncertainty over government policy changes reigns supreme and that’s impacting on how investors go about their business.
Harbourside metropolis
4 February 2019 - Strong economic and population growth and a tight rental market mean Tauranga remains an appealing option for investors, writes Miriam Bell.
Office business
29 January 2019 - New Zealand’s office sector is currently shaped by a shortage of supply but, going forward, it’s flexible workspaces which are set to reshape the market.
Tribunal rules for landlord in damage case
24 January 2019 - Damage done to a Porirua rental property by a dozen dogs was intentional and that means the tenants have to pay, the Tenancy Tribunal has found.
Wellington rents highest in NZ
23 January 2019 - There’s been a changing of the guard in the rent stakes with Wellington overtaking Auckland as the city with the highest rents in the country.
Slow Auckland rent growth unlikely to go on
22 January 2019 - Auckland is seeing the slowest rate of rent increases in years, the city’s biggest property manager has revealed – but don’t expect it to continue.
Time of change: 2019 forecast
15 January 2019 - New Zealand’s property market might be in a better place than Australia’s but investors still need to brace themselves for major change in 2019.
Time for a sea change
7 January 2019 - Nelson-Tasman is famed for its lifestyle attractions but its solid price growth and tight rental market make it a good option for investors too, writes Miriam Bell.
The outlook for 2019
3 January 2019 - 2019 is set to be a year of massive change as the Government’s suite of housing and tax policies start to bed in. Here’s what property market commentators have to say on the coming year…
2018 – a year of uncertainty
31 December 2018 - If last year was a year of disruption, this year was one in which the movement towards change took off – and many investors were left floundering and uncertain.
Top 5 Tribunal tips for landlords
27 December 2018 - Love it or loathe it, many landlords find they need the Tenancy Tribunal so it pays to know how it works.
Landlords urged to act on insulation
24 December 2018 - Warnings that landlords need to step up and ensure their rental properties meet insulation requirements are coming thick and fast as the year ends.
Monitoring rental home quality
19 December 2018 - Landlords concerned about whether or not their rental properties qualify as “healthy homes” can now look to new high-tech monitoring tool for help.
Healthy Homes benefits overstated - economist
17 December 2018 - Claims made about the benefits of ensuring New Zealand’s rental properties meet the Government’s Healthy Homes minimum standards are exaggerated, according to a new report.
Landlording like a parent
17 December 2018 - INVESTOR PROFILE: NZPIF 2018 landlord of the year Leilani Driessen says landlording has parallels to parenting and being a landlord has enabled her to be present for her kids.
Static Auckland rents suggest underlying problem
13 December 2018 - Overcrowding could be the real reason that Auckland rents haven’t budged for months while Wellington rents have rocketed up to match those in the SuperCity.
Has the sun set on holiday rentals?
11 December 2018 - With all the talk of increased council rates and compliance for short term rentals, do they still make investment sense? This month NZ Property Investor magazine investigates.
Strong value growth in affordable centres
5 December 2018 - Affordability is the critical factor in the ongoing strong value growth seen in a number of markets around the country, notably Dunedin and Wellington.
COMMENT: Setting policies good practice for landlords
4 December 2018 - Landlords need to establish strict policies around their rental properties rather than just winging it, Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis believes…
Late Cycle Growth in Kapiti Coast & Horowhenua
30 November 2018 - In the south west of the North Island, property prices and rents are experiencing late-cycle growth, writes Joanna Jefferies.
Wellington rents riding high
29 November 2018 - Rents are on the rise in markets around the country – but it is Wellington’s rental market which is running red hot, new Trade Me Property data shows.
COMMENT: Embedded networks - what to watch out for
29 November 2018 - Developers are increasingly seeking to maintain control of embedded networks in apartments and that means both buyers and body corporates need to know what to watch out for, Auckland District Law Society president Joanna Pidgeon explains.
Halt to apartment law reform plan
27 November 2018 - There’ll be no immediate reforms to apartment law after the Housing Minister declined to adopt a new Unit Titles Bill drafted by two National MPs.
Growth in NZ demand for co-working space
22 November 2018 - Developing co-working and flexible spaces in commercial properties offers big opportunities for landlords, the results of a major new survey suggest.
COMMENT: War on tenancies should stop
21 November 2018 - Life for rental property owners may become tougher as Labour’s newbie Housing Minister Phil Twyford tries to “make life better for renters”, Stop the War on Tenancies founder Mike Butler warns.
Insurance essentials
19 November 2018 - Too often investors do a quick once-over on the insurance front. But when it comes to commercial property that’s a mistake – instead it’s worth getting to grips with the fundamentals.
Fierce opposition to tenancy proposals
16 November 2018 - Nearly 100% of landlords who completed a simplified tenancy law reform submission form believe it should be possible to buy and sell properties without sitting tenants.
Landlords to bear letting fee costs
15 November 2018 - Growing numbers of property managers are announcing that they will be replacing letting fees with new charges for landlords.
Investor exodus unlikely
2 November 2018 - Disappointment is on the cards for the Government as their policy changes are unlikely to cause a mass exodus of investors from the housing market, experts believe.
Auckland yields improving
2 November 2018 - There has been a slight rebound in rental returns for Auckland landlords – but it’s not due to a rapid rise in rents.
Letting fees banned
1 November 2018 - It is no longer legal to charge tenants letting fees after Parliament today voted to pass legislation banning them from 12 December.
Growth cycle not over yet
1 November 2018 - It seems there is some life in the market yet with property values springing back to life in the latest QV data.
Tight supply means rent rises
29 October 2018 - A further decline in available rental properties leads Trade Me Property to warn tenants there are “ominous signs” that rent rises are on the horizon.
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