Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020
The Residential Tenancies Amendments Act 2020 implements significant changes to a landlord ’ s responsibilities and on the way they must operate their tenancies . With almost 100 new amendments to the existing Residential Tenancies Act , it ’ s crucial landlords are well-prepared and understand how these changes affect them .
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These new rules future-proof our changing rental market as we continue to see increasing tenant demand , and the desire for longer-term tenancies . The changes brought in by this legislation have helped create the framework for a more secure renting environment for landlords and tenants alike .
Landlords can seek out further information from a Ray White property manager or by visiting tenancy . govt . nz .
Rent increases
Rent increases can only occur once every 12 months , and any rent increase cannot occur within 12 months of the tenancy start date , or within 12 months of the last increase .
Security of rental tenure
The legislation previously allowing landlords to terminate a tenancy without cause by providing 90 days ’ notice no longer applies . New termination grounds are available to landlords with a periodic tenancy and the required notice timeframes have been updated . Key examples of this are , but not limited to :
14 days ’ notice
The tenant physically assaults the landlord or family member .
63 days ’ notice
The landlord or their family member requires the property to live in .
90 days ’ notice
The landlord intends to put the property on the market for sale as vacant .
The property has been sold with a requirement of vacant possession .
The landlord intends to carry out extensive renovations at the property .
The property is to be demolished .
Notice period determined by the Tenancy Tribunal
The landlord issues three separate notices for antisocial acts in a 90-day period .
The landlord issues three separate notices for late rent ( 5 working days +) in a 90-day period .
The landlord will suffer greater hardship than the tenant , if the tenancy continues .
Fixed-term tenancies
All fixed-term tenancies will convert to periodic tenancies at the end of their term unless both parties agree otherwise , or the tenant gives 28-days ’ notice ( for any reason ).
Landlords may still give notice for a fixedterm tenancy to expire , but only if this is in accordance with the termination grounds listed in the Residential Tenancies Act ( RTA ), or by order of the Tenancy Tribunal .