Landlord Tips

The type of property and the best locationBuying and renting out an investment property is a big decision. It's easy on the surface but there are many things to consider:    

• The changing rental market
• Choosing a tenant
• Tenancy laws
• How much and where to spend money to maintain your investment
• The amount of your time which will be taken up.

Our Professional property managers work in your best interests. When they manage your property they will:

• Take responsibility for tenanting it and manage the relationship with the tenant
• Ensure that rent is paid on time and in accordance with the tenancy agreement
• Ensure the maintenance of your property is kept up-to-date
• Act on your behalf so that you have an arm’s length relationship with the tenants. This is particularly useful in any negotiation, review or termination of tenancy
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of legislation that may affect your investment
• Keep you informed.

As an investment property owner, you want to know that your property is being managed by a team of professional, ethical and caring people. This is what Professionals strives to achieve for all of their investment property owners (Landlords). Professionals can offer you a personalised service, from purchase through to finding a quality tenant who will treat your property as their home.

Obligations - A landlord must:

• Give the tenant receipts for rent if the tenant pays in cash.
• If asked, give the tenant a statement saying what period the rent paid relates to.
• Give the tenant 60 days written notice of a rent increase.
• Give the tenant 48 hours notice of an inspection.
• Give the tenant 24 hours notice of entry to make repairs.
• Inform the tenant of any intention to sell the property.
• Make sure the locks and fastenings are working and are adequate.
• Make any necessary repairs within a reasonable time period.
• Reimburse the tenant for any urgent repairs required (providing the tenant attempted to notify the landlord before proceeding).
• Make sure the property is clean and in a fit and habitable condition at the beginning of and during the tenancy.
• Pay all outgoings; rates, insurance, land tax etc.
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that tenants aren't disturbed by the landlords other tenants.

A landlord must not:

• Ask for more than two weeks rent in advance at the start of the tenancy.
• At any stage during the tenancy, ask for more rent in advance to be paid.
• Inspect the property more than once in four weeks, except as allowed for to check on work done by the tenant.
• Harass the tenant.
• Interfere with, or allow others to interfere with a tenant's reasonable peace, privacy and comfort.
• Interfere with the gas, water, electricity supply or telephone.
• Unreasonably withhold permission for a tenant to sublet or assign the tenancy to someone else if not prohibited by the Tenancy Agreement.
• Change the locks without the tenant's consent.
• Enter the property except as permitted by law or with the tenant's consent.

Contact our office to find out more about renting through Professionals.

You can find a lot of information for landlords on the Department of Building and Housing’s website: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/

If you need further assistance while looking to rent or renting your property, please contact us.