Articles tagged with 'tenants'
Bill strikes a fair balance between landlords and tenants
8 January 2025 - The newly enacted Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill will encourage more rental homes, provide greater clarity for landlords, and improve tenant accessibility, REINZ says.
Tenant left with damages bill despite not being responsible
5 December 2023 - A woman who left a rented Manurewa, Auckland property she shared with her partner after discovering he was using methamphetamine is still liable for a half share of Tenancy Tribunal awarded exemplary damages and other debts owed to the landlord.
Drug destruction proved despite no pre-tenancy test
26 October 2023 - Although a Christchurch landlord did not do a pre-tenancy methamphetamine test, he was still able to evict the tenant because a circular saw was used to cut through the front door which he had to replace with a brand-new door that subsequently tested positive for the drug.
How landlords can survive the cost of living crisis
13 February 2023 - With the cost of living crisis and rapidly increasing interest rates, times are hard for landlords and renters alike.
Good tenants hard to find
20 September 2022 - Residential rentals have turned to a tenants’ market, even though rents took off again in July, rising by 2% nationally to sit at $580 a week.
Huge rent refund for Illegal ‘smoko shed’ conversion
28 July 2022 - A tenant who was rented an uninhabitable Swanson “smoko and social shed” as his home for a decade has been awarded $25,876 - 40% of the rent he paid over six years - after the Tenancy Tribunal found the property to be unlawful residential premises.
Drug using tenant cops damages awards twice in one year
2 April 2022 - A Rotorua landlord was surprised to find ETB Realty let his property to a tenant who had to pay exemplary damages for smoking methamphetamine at her previous flat also rented to her by it.
Gang violence leads to eviction
3 December 2021 - A violent de-patching of a gang member at a Tokoroa rental property led to the landlord getting an eviction notice to turf out the tenant.
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.
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.
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.
Tenants refuse property viewing
4 August 2021 - Two Weymouth, Auckland tenants who refused to let the landlord or prospective new tenants into the property have been ordered to pay $2,035 in damages.
Tribunal: Tenants’ bond ‘kept in a tin’
30 July 2021 - A $280 bond “kept in a tin” for a decade was evidence in a Dunedin Tenancy Tribunal hearing resulting in $15,900 being awarded to the tenants.
Tenancy jurisdiction spat: No comfort from tribunal
26 May 2021 - Living in a caravan at Nelson’s Spirit of Nature commune has been cold comfort for a man embroiled in a spat with his landlord over whether a tenancy agreement exists.
Methamphetamine use doesn’t mean eviction
12 May 2021 - A landlord who wanted to evict a tenant because of possible methamphetamine use by two flatmates has been slapped down by the Tenancy Tribunal.
Eviction notice oversteps tenants’ rights – results in damages
23 April 2021 - Exemplary damages of $600 have been awarded against a landlord who tried to evict tenants after a row over ceiling insulation and other property repairs.
Tenant’s hardship brings up legal issues
19 March 2021 - A Wellington tenant’s financial difficulties during the Covid-19 lockdowns has led to the Tenancy Tribunal considering legal issues around early lease terminations.
Tenancy terminated after house empty for a year
18 March 2021 - A Wellington state house tenant who tried to hang on to her rented home for a year, while out of the country, with no fixed return date, has been forced to give up the lease.
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.
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.
Investment in Auckland’s CBD will survive
12 October 2020 - Commercial property investors are not going to abandon Auckland’s CBD in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdowns, according to a specialist property financier.
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.
New renters' guide for tenants
23 September 2020 - Far too many tenants are not aware of their obligations around their rental property so a new guide aims to spell out what they need to know and do.
Growth halts for Capital rents
22 September 2020 - Wellington rents – which have long seen the strongest growth in the country – stalled in August for the first time in five years, new Trade Me Property data reveals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why the future is not bleak for the housing market
3 July 2020 - Uncertainty continues to cast its shadow over the housing market but economist Tony Alexander has put together a list of reasons which offset the negatives and mean the market remains well-supported.
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.
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.
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.
Holiday hotspots: what lies ahead?
29 May 2020 - Tourism has been one of the industries hardest-hit by the Covid-19 crisis, so Miriam Bell looks into what that means for the regional property markets that are reliant on it.
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.
Budget 2020: Social housing boost
14 May 2020 - Rebuilding New Zealand post-Covid-19 was, as promised, the focus of Budget 2020 - and it turns out that includes the roll-out of a big social housing building programme.
Industrial holdings leave Provincia in strong position
14 May 2020 - Tales of strife and problems abound in the commercial property world these days, but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has not been as devastating for all commercial players.
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.
Uncertain future for commercial development
5 May 2020 - Sixty percent of planned development projects worth several billion dollars are now uncertain due to the current economic climate, a new Property Council survey of its members suggests.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
ASB slashes house price forecasts
17 March 2020 - House price growth will drop away to zero over the coming year, according to ASB who have cut their forecasts in response to the coronavirus crisis.
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?
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.
More growth for co-working office space
5 March 2020 - The popularity of co-working office space is not just a fad. In fact, according to a new report, there’s room for continued growth in this part of the Auckland office market.
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.
COMMENT: The truth about flexible workspaces
30 January 2020 - Think you know about flexible workspaces? Odds are - you don’t, so IWG's Alexander Sykes* busts some myths about flexible workspaces for curious landlords.
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.
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.
The perils of leaving insulation late
23 December 2019 - Leaving the insulation of a rental property for too long after the July deadline and then entering the premises without consent has earned some Auckland landlords a penalty of over $1,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rents ramp up in Capital’s tight market
25 September 2019 - Limited supply and strong demand mean that Wellington rents are, once again, on a par with Auckland’s rents, according to Trade Me Property’s new rental data.
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.
Lodge bonds or expect a penalty
23 September 2019 - Failure to lodge multiple tenancy bonds has earned another Auckland landlord a hefty penalty from the Tenancy Tribunal – and prompted a general warning to landlords.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Privacy guidelines under review
5 June 2019 - Controversial new Privacy Commissioner guidelines covering the information that landlords should and shouldn’t ask for when selecting tenants have been withdrawn – for now.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
On the property beat
18 March 2019 - INVESTOR PROFILE: From the police academy to a property academy, Tua Saseve’s property journey is one with a difference and now he’s teaching others how to build a successful portfolio.
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.
Warning: don’t overlook consents for property work
7 March 2019 - Undertaking major work on properties without consents in place has come back to bite two Auckland property owners after Auckland Council took them to court for it.
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.
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.
COMMENT: Ring-fencing rules could mean 116,000 less rentals
12 February 2019 - Ring-fencing of rental losses on rental properties could end up resulting in 116,000 fewer rentals, Stop the War on Tenancies spokesman Mike Butler cautions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Desperately seeking answers
18 December 2018 - Looking for a straight answer from MBIE’s Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team? If you are a landlord, don’t expect too much clarity.
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.
Is vaping a new risk for landlords?
2 July 2018 - With many cigarette smokers switching to vaping, does this pose a new risk for landlords? Dr Marewa Glover argues that it does not.
