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23-Jan-2020

Can you test for meth yourself?

This week's question comes from Clifford (paraphrased): Is there such a thing as meth test kits? Can they be used by landlords to carry out meth tests at rental properties and are the test results valid? Yes, they are such things as meth test kits which can be used by landlords to test for the presence of meth at your rental property. You will need to meet t... read more

Ed McKnight: What hosting the #1 business podcast has taught me about NZ Property Investment

5 months ago, I was working out at the gym, earphones in, listening to my favourite podcast. It's a daily show featuring 2 digital geeks talk about what's happening in the digital industry ... I'm secretly a nerd. It got me thinking that a similar format could work for property investment in New Zealand. Fast forward 5 months and the Property Academy Podcast has over... read more

Editor's Choice

21-Jan-2020

Ryan Smuts: How to finance a deal when you are investing with someone else

When it comes to investing in properties with a partner*, be it a spouse, a friend or colleague, funding rules can differ from lender to lender and would depend on the nature of the relationship between the parties. The key things to be aware of are outlined below: For the most part, lenders would assess applicants jointly if the partners are also (de facto) spouses. For example, in the c... read more

Ryan Smuts: Making sense of the RBNZ Nov 2019 FSR

The RBNZ publishes its Financial Stability Report every May and November outlining the key areas of interest relating to the NZ economy, with a snapshot of where things sit today and things to be aware of moving forward. As property investors, we operate in a market which is strongly influenced by the financial system, due to the need for capital and the benefit of leverage when it co... read more

Must know

18-Nov-2019

The Faafoi announcement: 4 things for landlords to do right now

Yesterday afternoon the government outlined the next phase of its housing agenda which involves overhauling the Residential Tenancies Act once again. While we have come to expect significant changes to the RTA under this government, we consider that which was announced to cause such major disruption to the landlord-tenant dynamic as to further tip the balance of power away from l... read more

Must know

18-Nov-2019

Summary of proposed changes to residential tenancy

On Sunday 17th November the Coalition Government announced a number of proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act in accordance with the Labour Party's election manifesto. APIA Vice President Peter Lewis was present at the announcement and reports on the following substantive elements of the proposal: It is important to note that these proposals will need to be enacted into law... read more

Q&A

14-Nov-2019

The Tribunal's position on meth

This week's question comes from Pat (paraphrased): Considering the inconclusiveness of what is a 'safe' level of meth presence, how would the Tenancy Tribunal decide on cases concerning the landlord's obligation to provide a safe home with respect to meth? You are right in pointing out the two competing opinions on what is considered 'safe' when it comes to traces of meth ... read more

Guest blog

13-Nov-2019

Kristine King: Unlawful Premises – Moving Past Anderson v FM Custodians

Following a review of the law of residential tenancies in New Zealand, the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No 2) gained Royal Assent on 30 July 2019. This bill, now named the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019 (“the Amendment Act”), came into force on the 27th of August 2019. The Amendment Act greatly impacts on the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenant... read more

Stephen Hegh: Methamphetamine – where are we now?

The 2019 Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (RTAA) moved things forward… a bit. Landlords can now access the property to test for meth contamination. But the elephant in the room remains: what is the acceptable maximum level of meth presence at a rental property? Standards New Zealand says it is 1.5µg/100cm2, Sir Peter Gluckman says 15µg/100cm2, The Residential Tenancies ... read more

Landlording

05-Nov-2019

Sandra has a problem

Sandra has a problem. Sandra and her husband Terry live in a small house down a private right-of-way. They have been there for a few years, and like the location. It is handy to Terry’s work, and Sandra can easily catch the bus to her part-time job as a teacher aide. The neighbouring house on the road frontage is a rental, and some months ago new tenants moved in. Altho... read more

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