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.