Under the new rules, a landlord can increase the rent only once every 12 months, and the practice of rental bidding, where landlords or property managers invite prospective tenants to offer more to secure a competitive spot, is banned. The law will also abolish the practice of no-cause terminations, where landlords can remove their tenants without giving a reason, if they give 90 days’ notice. The tenancy can still be terminated if the landlord wants to sell or needs the property for themselves or a family member.
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Auckland tenant and tenants’ advocate Bruce Gordon welcomes the new legislation. If a tenant is late paying rent or has carried out anti-social acts on three separate occasions, the landlord can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to terminate the tenancy.
Tenancy law overhaul: Concern new rules could harm domestic violence victims
13 Jan, 2021 06:04 PM
2 minutes to read
Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act comes in to affect on February 11 and is set to affect up to 600,000 Kiwi properties. Photo / 123RF
Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act comes in to affect on February 11 and is set to affect up to 600,000 Kiwi properties. Photo / 123RF
NZ Herald
By: Hugh Collins
New rules for renters could be damaging for victims of domestic abuse, a family violence spokesperson says.
Major changes to the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 1986 have to come into effect by August 11 at the latest, however they can be brought into force before then.