Articles tagged with 'tenancy reform'
[OPINION] New four step application process for prospective tenants
12 April 2022 - The Privacy Commissioner has implemented prescriptive new guidelines for landlords in the way they get information from prospective tenants. It appears clear that they have been developed with a very narrow view of what the minimum information prospective tenants need to supply to landlords.
Landlord evictions clarified under Covid restrictions
3 November 2021 - The Government has passed legislation restricting tenancy terminations when people are required to stay at home because of Covid-19 health measures.
More money to police property rental laws
20 May 2021 - The government has allocated $80 million over four years to police the healthy homes standards, fix the bond centre and fund RTA disputes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Opposition to RTA overhaul rages
28 July 2020 - The Government’s controversial tenancy law reform proposals look set to hit Parliament today, but opponents say it would be a big mistake for MPs to pass them into law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
The new face of the NZPIF
20 February 2020 - There’s been a changing of the guard fronting the NZ Property Investors Federation (NZPIF), with the current president taking over as executive officer from Andrew King.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
COMMENT: How much is too much
5 September 2019 - New regulations around rental properties mean that being a landlord is becoming increasingly unattractive. Auckland Property Investors Association vice president Peter Lewis asks how much is too much…
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.
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.
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.
Mum & Dad investors on the rise
18 July 2019 - Tax and housing policy changes seemed likely to deter smaller investors but new CoreLogic research shows their market share is actually increasing.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Auckland sales at lowest since 2008
12 April 2019 - Sales in Auckland plummeted by nearly 20% to the lowest number in a March month for eleven years, new REINZ data reveals - but sales activity nationwide also took a fall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
COMMENT: Reforms would increase rental shortage
31 October 2018 - Feelings on tenancy law reform continue to run high as MBIE considers submissions on the Government’s proposals. Here’s a summary of what landlord Naveen Goel had to say in his…
Don’t remove 90 day notice - NZPIF
26 October 2018 - If 90 day no cause termination notices are removed, the NZ Property Investors Federation says a “two strike” notice system should be adopted instead.
