15 June 2020

The Cabinet decided to extend the deadline for Healthy Homes Standards from 1st July 2020 to 1st December 2020. The new law requires landlords to prepare detailed tenancy agreements that fully disclose the ways in which their homes meet the Healthy Homes Standards, allowing tenants to evaluate whether the rental properties are compliant or not. […]

18 May 2020

The healthy homes standards became law with effect from 1 July 2019. The new guidelines have revised the standard requirements (both specific and minimum) as they relate to heating, ventilation, insulation, drainage, draught, and moisture ingress in all rental properties. The goal of the new standards is to improve the quality of life of New […]

10 April 2020

Anyone moving into a rental property should consider the new guidelines issued by the Director General of Health on the 3rd of April, 2020, under Section 70 of the Health Act.  This notice aims to provide guidance for movement during the COVID-19 lockdown Alert Level 4. Tenants should read the notice before making any plans […]

28 March 2020

On March 23, 2020, the Minister of Finance announced that, under the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Amendment Act, the time duration for rent freezes in New Zealand will increase to 6 months, and tenancy termination based on no-cause will be extended. This is to allow New Zealanders the opportunity to stay in their rental […]

26 August 2019

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019 went into effect on 27 August 2019. It affects both landlords and tenants. The purpose of the Act is to encourage residential tenants to take good care of their rental properties and to ensure landlords provide cost-effective insurance. The Act also seeks to protect tenants from liability for excessive […]

22 July 2019

Landlords are legally obliged to make their properties safe for tenants. They can do this by identifying and addressing fire hazards and by maintaining a fire alert system that warns tenants in the case of fire. If you’re a landlord, this checklist will help you maintain a safe property.             […]