Who is a landlord?
In New Zealand, you are a landlord if you rent out a home for someone to live in.
That applies whether it is:
- a single investment property or a growing portfolio.
- your own home, rented out while you are working or living elsewhere.
- a property owned through a family trust or company.
- a home you manage for family or friends.
If someone pays rent to live there, the Residential Tenancies Act almost certainly applies, along with all its rights and obligations. It does not matter whether you call yourself an investor, an owner or "just helping out a mate".
Doing the right thing, for your property and your tenant
Good landlords are organised. Most issues come from something missed, not from bad intent: a lapsed bond lodgement, a missing Healthy Homes statement or a repair that got delayed.
For your property
- Meet the Healthy Homes standards. Heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping.
- Keep it well maintained. Fix issues quickly and keep a record of every repair.
- Inspect regularly, with proper notice. Catch small problems before they become expensive ones.
- Protect your asset. Keep insurance, compliance documents and receipts current and easy to find.
For your tenant
- Start right. Use a written tenancy agreement with the required statements, and lodge the bond with Tenancy Services within 23 working days.
- Respect their home. Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment, so give the correct notice before you visit.
- Communicate clearly and keep records. Agree things in writing, respond to maintenance requests promptly, and keep a record of what was said and done.
- Follow the rules on change. Pets need the landlord's consent, which can only be refused on reasonable grounds, and pet bonds are capped at 2 weeks' rent. Rent increases and notice periods have their own legal requirements.
- Protect their information. Your tenants' personal details are your responsibility under the Privacy Act.
How The Rental Home helps
You already want to do the right thing. We make it easier.
The Rental Home keeps your obligations, documents, dates and conversations in one secure place, and reminds you before anything is due. That way, the right thing happens every time.