Landlord Tips

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

• Property type and lacatiion
• 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 Property Management Team 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 Sunny Nelson Realty strives to achieve for all of their investment property owners (Landlords). Sunny Nelson Realty 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 Sunny Nelson Realty.

You can find available rental properties by clicking on the Renting tab in the search area at the top of this page.

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