17 Jun 2026Small Changes That Can Help with the Cost of Living
Winter can be tough on household budgets. Between heating, hot water, groceries and transport, the ...
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17 Jun 2026Keeping Neighbours Happy
Being a good neighbour does not mean you have to become best friends over the fence. It simply ...
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17 Jun 2026Why Your Credit Rating Matters
Your credit rating can affect more than just your ability to borrow money. It may be considered ...
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17 Jun 2026Thinking About Buying Your First Home? Use This First Home Buyer Checklist for 2026
Renting does not mean home ownership is out of reach. For some tenants, 2026 may be a good time to ...
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17 Jun 2026Why Contents Insurance Matters for Tenants
Many people refer to it as “renters insurance”, but in New Zealand, tenants are usually looking ...
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15 Jun 2026The Real Cost of Keeping a Pet in a Rental
Pets can be wonderful, but tenants need to understand the financial risk before bringing a pet into ...
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15 Jun 2026Mould, Heating and Ventilation: Why They Work Best Together
Mould is one of the most common issues found in homes during winter. It can damage surfaces, create ...
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28 May 2026Blind Cord Safety Should Not Be Left To Chance
Blind cords are easy to overlook because they are part of everyday living. In homes where young ...
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28 May 2026Debt Collection in Property Management
Landlords often ask why unpaid rent or damage costs are not sent straight to debt collection when ...
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28 May 2026New Methamphetamine Regulations In Force: Why The Right Process Matters More Than Ever
The new methamphetamine regulations have brought much needed clarity to an area that caused a lot ...
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28 May 2026Winter Mould and Property Upkeep
Winter is when small maintenance issues can quickly become expensive property problems. A blocked ...
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28 May 2026One Week Vacant Can Be Cheaper Than The Wrong Tenant
When a rental property is vacant, it is natural to focus on the rent that is not coming in. One ...
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28 May 2026HX 2026: Raising the Standard in Property Management
Harcourts’ annual HX Conference has wrapped up for another year, bringing together our national ...
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30 Mar 2026Regulation of Residential Property Managers Moves a Step Closer
This is a significant step for the residential property management sector and positive news for ...
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30 Mar 2026Fire Safety Update - Interconnected Smoke Alarm Requirements, Lithium Battery Risks and Asbestos
Fire risk in residential properties is changing. As technology evolves and older building materials ...
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30 Mar 2026Methamphetamine Regulations Gazetted – Effective 16 April 2026
The Residential Tenancies (Managing Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations 2026 have now been ...
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26 Feb 2026Smart tax planning for residential landlords
As 31 March 2026 approaches, now is the perfect time for residential rental property owners to take ...
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28 Jan 2026Getting tenant selection right from the start
As a landlord, one of your biggest risks is ending up with the wrong tenant. It can mean missed ...
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28 Jan 2026Pets by Consent: Why this is the best option
From 1 December 2025, the rules around pets in rental properties changed significantly. Landlords ...
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28 Nov 2025Choose your flatmates wisely – Understanding joint & several liability
When you sign a tenancy agreement with others — whether friends, flatmates, or family — ...
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28 Nov 2025Understanding the new pet legislation: what landlords need to know
On 1 December 2025, the new pet provisions in the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 take ...
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28 Nov 2025Understanding rental yield and the cost of vacancies
In our September edition we shared practical tips on increasing your rental yield. This month, we ...
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29 Nov 2024Make a Splash Around Your Home This Summer
But do it safely! While we all love to stay cool, we need to ensure that safety is our number one ...
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29 Nov 2024Maintaining a Healthy Home
From July 2024, all Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) houses and registered Community ...
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29 Nov 2024Renters Insurance
Insurance is important for both landlords and tenants. Landlords should insure their rental ...
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29 Nov 2024Locking Up Over the Holidays
If you are lucky enough to be going away over the summer holidays, you’ll want to make sure your ...
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29 Nov 2024What Do You Really Have to Do For a Rental Inspection?
Regular routine inspections are important for property managers to ensure that a rental property is ...
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29 Nov 2024Top 10 Tips For Moving with Kids
Moving home is a significant event in anyone’s life, involving a high degree of planning, ...
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29 Nov 2024How to Use Equity to Buy an Investment Property
With the recent changes to interest deductibility and the bright-line test, property investment in ...
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30 Sep 2024Serene Bathroom Heaters – Action Required
Energy Safety has extended its clampdown on Serene wall mounted bathroom heaters, which don’t ...
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30 Sep 2024Quiet Enjoyment
Section 38 of the Residential Tenancies Act states that: (1) The tenant shall be entitled to ...
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30 Sep 2024Seasonal Maintenance
With Spring here, it’s time for us to shed our winter coats and start looking forward to the warm ...
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23 Aug 2024Changes to the New Zealand Building code and the requirements for smoke alarms
Early in November 2023, changes to the Building Code Acceptable Solutions for Protection from Fire ...
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23 Aug 2024Understanding Debt-to-Income restrictions and Loan-to-Value ratios: A guide for property investors
From 1 July, 2024, significant changes came into effect that impact property investors in New ...
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30 Jul 2024Keeping Your Property Up to Standard - Healthy Homes
Once your property meets the healthy homes standards, landlords need to make sure that the property ...
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30 Jul 2024Healthy Homes Deadline Approaching!
From 1 July 2025 ALL private rentals must comply with the healthy homes standards. We now have ...
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29 Jul 2024Safe Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries and Battery Products
Lithium-ion batteries are found in many common household products such as mobile phones, laptops, ...
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29 Jul 2024Keeping Your Rental Reasonbly Clean and Tidy - Including Heat Pump Filters
Landlords are responsible for maintaining the heating appliances (heat pumps, fixed heaters) in ...
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29 Jul 2024How to Get Winter-ready in your Rental
Tackling dampness and ventilation creates a dry, healthy home that holds in the heat, reduces ...
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29 Jul 20245 Important Steps to Prepare for Home Ownership in New Zealand
Owning a home has long been considered part of the “Kiwi Dream,” but for many New Zealanders, ...
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29 Jul 2024Q: What does Mould, Asbestos, and Methamphetamine have in common?
A: These are all subjects that your Harcourts Property Managers are participating in training over ...
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1 Jul 2024Qualifying Evidence of the Healthy Homes Heating Standard
To meet the heating standard of the healthy homes standards, there must be one or more fixed ...
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24 Jun 2024Will You Be Out Of The Country For More Than 21 Days?
As we plan extended holidays, there is one section of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) that ...
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11 Apr 2024The Government Restores Interest Deductibility on Investment Properties
Updates on tax reform have been announced, with Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announcing ...
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11 Apr 2024Just a month-by-month tenancy, thanks!
There is no such thing in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) as a month-by-month tenancy, however ...
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11 Apr 2024Family Make the Best Tenants!
Renting to family members usually sounds like a great idea at the time, but are you protected if ...
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11 Mar 2024Compliance in Rental Properties
Did you know that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has a compliance monitoring ...
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11 Mar 2024Ensuring your Rental is Healthy Homes Compliant
Did you know that all managed or private rentals must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards ...
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6 Mar 2024Selling Your Rental Property?
Section 47 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) states that if at any time after entering ...
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6 Mar 2024End Of Financial Year Tips for Landlords
As the end of a financial year approaches, landlords have an opportunity to assess their property ...
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19 Feb 2024Insurance Policy Changes
Section 45 – Landlord Responsibilities On 27 August 2019, legislation took effect which ...
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19 Feb 2024The Perils of Removing Smoke Alarms
Removing or interfering with smoke alarms or interfering with the means of escape from a fire is an ...
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9 Jan 2024Stop Mosquitoes Breeding Around Your Home
Like most of us, mosquitoes prefer a warmer, ambient temperature, so they are at their highest ...
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9 Jan 2024Let There be Light! Who's Responsible for Light Bulbs?
Landlords and tenants can be responsible for light bulbs. The Residential Tenancies Act does not ...
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9 Jan 2024The Importance of ALL Pool Safety
We all love a pool to cool off in over summer, and many tenants will be tempted to get a portable ...
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30 Nov 2023Tenancy Types: Which one do we use?
When you are purchasing an investment property it is important to work out what type of tenancy ...
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15 Nov 2023Definition of Accidental Damage
If something gets damaged in a rental property, or needs repairing, it’s important to know who is ...
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15 Nov 2023Things to Consider When Buying a Rental Property
Investing in property is a smart financial decision that can help you grow wealth and generate a ...
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15 Nov 2023Do you want to become a property investor?
Becoming an investor is a smart way to grow your wealth, generate a passive income or build a nest ...
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27 Sep 2023Section 40 - Tenant's Responsibilities
It is important that tenants have at least a basic understanding of their responsibilities under ...
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30 Aug 2023Healthy Habits for Tenants
Keeping your home healthy isn’t just up to your landlord. Healthy habits will reduce moisture in ...
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30 Aug 2023Housing Improvement Regulations 1947
Our property management sector has been focused on the healthy homes standards for several years ...
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30 Aug 2023Q1 Northern Region Awards
Our Harcourts Whangarei Property Management team received multiple awards at the recent Harcourts ...
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25 Jul 2023Can a Tenant Agree to pay for Improvements?
If a tenant is wanting the carpets in a rental property to be replaced due to the carpets being ...
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25 Jul 2023Lack of Heating and Insulation Leads to Mould
Section 45 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 outlines that a landlord must provide and maintain ...
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25 Jul 2023Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team
The Tenancy Services Compliance and Investigations Team monitor and enforce compliance with the ...
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25 Jul 2023Mould & Dampness
It is a landlords responsibility to ensure their property is well-aired, ventilated and free of ...
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29 Jun 2023Smoke Alarms and Industry Accepted Best Practice
'Industry Best Practice' means… "A management idea asserting that, for a given industry, there ...
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29 Jun 2023Common Rental Property Expenditure
Landlords are operating a business when renting out a property, and like with any business, there ...
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13 Jun 2023Neighbours in Dispute
From time to time, we receive complaints from neighbours about a tenant. This could be anything ...
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13 Jun 2023Tenancy Tribunal Case: Extensive Damage
This case study highlighted what happens when damage to a rental premises is deemed to be ...
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9 Jun 2023Delays with Tenancy Tribunal Hearings
MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) have outlined its process to help landlords ...
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26 May 2023Replacement Like for Like
When an item in a property is damaged or stops working and needs to be replaced, the item should be ...
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26 May 2023Tenant Selection Process
You want tenants who’ll care for your property and fulfil all their obligations. Before signing a ...
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28 Apr 2023Signing Away Rights Under the Act
If a Tenancy Agreement includes clauses that are inconsistent with the Residential Tenancies Act ...
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11 Apr 2023A Hazard in Clear Line of Sight
Most homes have them and yet the dangers associated with window blinds are not widely known. As a ...
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11 Apr 2023Fair Wear and Tear in a Rental
Tenancy can be difficult terrain to navigate, whether you’re a long-time renter or a first-time ...
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11 Apr 2023Who is Responsible for What, in Your Rental?
A property manager will ensure your property is regularly checked for any damage or wear and tear ...
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27 Feb 2023Depreciating Chattels in Rental Properties
Often when tenants cause damage to chattels at a rental property or if something goes missing, it ...
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27 Feb 2023Using Licensed Practitioners For Your Property
Using licensed builders, electrical workers, plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers ensures work on ...
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26 Jan 2023Tenancy Start and End Times
Tenancy days start and end at midnight, therefore we cannot demand that tenants leave the premises ...
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26 Jan 2023Family Violence and Physical Assault Regulations
Provisions relating to family violence and physical assault are in force. Regulations to support ...
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26 Jan 2023Extensive Alterations, Refurbishment, Repairs or Redevelopment Required?
Section 51 of the Residential Tenancies Act - Termination by Notice A landlord may terminate a ...
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26 Jan 2023The Cost of Filing Tenancy Tribunal Applications
At a recent Tenancy Tribunal hearing, a landlord made a claim against the tenant for rent arrears, ...
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8 Dec 2022What's cooking for Christmas?
We are hoping that our tenants will be enjoying home cooked meals over the summer period, so please ...
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8 Dec 2022Unlawful Dwellings
78A Orders of Tribunal relating to unlawful residential premises (1) This section applies in any ...
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8 Dec 2022Smoke Alarms - What you need to know
If you are a tenant, you must not damage, remove, or disconnect a smoke alarm, and should replace ...
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8 Dec 2022Renters Insurance - Why do you need it?
Insurance is important for both landlords and tenants. Landlords should insure their rental ...
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8 Dec 2022Rental Reform Package: Regulation, Healthy Homes extension, Methamphetamine levels
The Government will regulate property managers, consult on an acceptable maximum level of meth ...
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8 Dec 2022Keeping Safe with Portable Pools
Portable pools can be a lot of fun during summer, whether for the kids to play in, or the flatties ...
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8 Dec 2022Keep your rental clean this summer
Cleaning Heat Pump and Air Conditioning Filters Humidifier, heat pump and air-conditioning ...
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8 Dec 2022How do you prove you're a great tenant?
Changes in the Privacy Act 2020 affect how we can collect, store, use and dispose of someone’s ...
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8 Dec 2022Co-ownership: Buying a Home with Family or Friends
Buying a first home in today’s market isn’t always easy, and for many prospective home buyers ...
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30 Nov 2022Alternative Accommodation for Tenants
There is a misconception that when a property is damaged, either due to a natural disaster or flood ...
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16 Nov 2022Legislation for Swimming & Spa Pools
Since 1 January 2017, the key legislation laying down provisions and obligations surrounding ...
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26 Oct 2022Healthy Homes Standards Assessments and Making a Plan
Did you know that if you have not had your rental property assessed for its current level of ...
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26 Oct 2022Landlord Responsibilities
Section 45(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) lists the Landlord Responsibilities, with ...
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6 Oct 2022Heating: Healthy Homes Standards
The Housing Improvement Regulations Act 1947 states that: ‘Every living room must be fitted with ...
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6 Oct 20223 Easy Spring Home Improvements
Spring signals a fresh approach and the perfect time to prepare your home for sunnier days. Here ...
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6 Oct 2022Repairs and Maintenance
Ensuring that your investment property is well maintained is something that is particularly ...
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23 Sep 2022Property Management Privacy Update
Harcourts has included articles in previous editions of the Property Management Focus newsletters ...
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15 Sep 2022The Importance of Regular Property Inspections
Conducting routine property inspections is a vital part of managing your investment property. We ...
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31 Aug 2022Market Watch by Bryan Thomson
The residential real estate market always seems to be on the front page of our many media ...
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25 Aug 2022How to Add Value To Your Property and Attract Better Tenants
There are a number of simple, cost-effective home improvement solutions that will increase the ...
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1 Aug 2022Landlord's Claim for Compensation - Denied
In a recent Tenancy Tribunal, a landlord claimed compensation from the tenant for kitchen vinyl and ...
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1 Aug 2022Selling a Rental Property
When a landlord decides to sell a rental property, they must tell the tenant in writing. Harcourts ...
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1 Aug 2022Healthy Homes Standards: What Defines a Living Room?
The Housing Improvement Regulations 1947 set out the minimum requirements for housing, with the ...
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27 Jul 2022Crackdown on Compliance in Rental Properties
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has issued the following media release regarding its ...
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26 Jul 2022Are You Looking for a Property Manager?
There is no arguing the point that the residential property industry has seen a lot of changes in ...
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21 Jul 2022Tips for Dealing with Rising Mortgage Rates
Rising interest rates are bad news for first home buyers and borrowers alike, with new homeowners ...
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15 Jul 2022Conserving Water in and Around The Home
Water consumption rates have increased since July 1st 2022. It's an important reminder to be ...
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14 Jul 2022Mould & Dampness and The Healthy Homes Standards
There are five healthy homes standards that became law on 1 July 2019, with key compliance dates ...
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5 Jul 2022Wild Weather Can Cause Damage at your Rental Property
Find out what to do if your rental needs repairs after extreme weather or a natural disaster. ...
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30 Jun 2022Making Minor Changes to Your Rental Property
This change to the Residential Tenancies Act provides clarity on what a minor change is and sets ...
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8 Oct 2021The latest on COVID updates and Real Estate
Our thoughts are with our clients and communities throughout New Zealand as we work our way through ...
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13 May 2021Dude, WHERE’S MY HEATPUMP!?
From 1 July 2021, private landlords must ensure their rental property complies with the healthy ...
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