Property Management Legislation

The New Zealand rental landscape continues to change, with new rules coming into play around how we must manage our tenancies, as well as the quality of properties that are provided for rent.

These rules apply equally to both property managers and private landlords, so it’s important that everyone involved in renting property educates themselves and is up to date with the new requirements. With the implementation of the recent RTA Act 2020 and the many significant changes this has brought into effect, this education element is now more important than ever.

Managing a tenancy is heavily compliance based with significant penalties possible for those landlords who are not properly managing their tenants and properties. While many New Zealand landlords still choose to self-manage their investment properties, they often do so without fully understanding the risks involved with non-compliance, which can be significant and costly.

Some key legislation that has a direct relationship to property management and rental dwellings includes, but is not limited to:

Residential Tenancies Amendments Act 2020

• New allowances for tenants surrounding minor alterations to a rental property, tenancy assignment, security of lease tenure, fibre broadband and more.
• Minimum requirements for all rental properties in respect of heating, insulation, ventilation, draught stopping, moisture ingress and drainage.
• Requirements for landlords insurance information to be provided to tenants and included within any tenancy agreement.
• Smoke alarm requirements for every property where both landlords and tenants have their own responsibilities.
• Insurance changes and requirements that can impact both claims made and the cover provided for landlords.
• Methamphetamine and the current risks that still exist, no matter what may be portrayed in the media or what you may already understand around the issue.