TIPS FOR LANDLORDSDid

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The NZ landlord is responsible for making sure the property is in a reasonable condition, let the tenant have quiet enjoyment of the property AND meet all relevant building, health and safety standards.

Mould - Rental homes need to be free from mould and dampness before being rented out. During a tenancy, tenants need to keep the house well-aired and remove any mould straight away.

Gutters and Downpipes - the most common cause of mould inside a home is because the gutters and downpipes are blocked and water has no where to go. Eventually it seeps into the home and into the ceilings of your investment. Clearing and cleaning of the gutters and downpipes needs to be done annually before winter.

Rent increase - The landlord can increase the rent no more than once every 12 months. The Landlord must give 60 days’ advance notice (two months) of any rent increase, and this has to be in writing.

Fair wear and tear refers to the gradual deterioration of things that are used regularly in a property when people live in it. A tenant is not responsible for normal fair wear and tear to the property or any chattels provided by the landlord when they use them normally.

Smoke Alarms - 10 year Photoelectric Smoke Alarms are required by legislation in every NZ rental. These alarms are set off by a heat rise and therefore are not placed in any kitchen but outside of this space, say in the lounge/living area. There must be one of these alarms within 3 metres of every bedroom.

Landlord requirements

Your investment needs to be safe and secure, well ventilated and free of mould and anything that may potentially harm your tenants. The better the property is maintained the better tenants it will attract.

Maintenance

Your investment will require you to invest in it each year. Gutters need to be cleared annually, the home should be washed every couple of years as well as attending to other maintenance that arises such as old taps needing replacing, leaking under or in the property. It is a wise owner who sets aside around $1500 per year to keep their investment in good shape.

Chattels

If your property offers chattels to a tenant then they must be in working order at the beginning of the tenancy and it is the landlords responsibility to ensure that these chattels such as a washing machine are listed on the Tenancy Agreement. If the landlord does not want to fix the chattel should it break down during the tenancy then the Landlord has the option to ‘gift’ the chattel which means it does not have to be fixed if it breaks down, it also means that the tenant can take the ‘gift’ when they leave the property.