The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020
Fibre broadband : Tenants can request to install fibre broadband at a rental property and if it can be installed at no cost the the landlord , this request cannot be unreasonably declined . Tenants are responsible for any ongoing costs related to the fibre service .
Landlords can decline a fibre broadband request if specific expemptions apply e . g . the installation may breach Body Corporate rules , or risks compromising the weathertightness or character of the property .
Privacy and access to justice : Tenants can apply for a suppression order to remove names or any identifying details from being published in a Tenancy Tribunal decision , if their case is wholly or substantially successful . The Tribunal can also decide to suppress details if it is in the interests of the parties or the public interest to do so .
Landlord records : Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of their tenancy agreement in writing , and failure to do so can be classed as an unlawful act . Landlords now have increased requirements to retain various records relating to the property and its tenancy for up to 12-months after the tenancy expires .
If they are the sole tenant the tenancy will end , however , if co-tenants remain in the property , they will pay a proprtionally reduced rent rate for a period of two weeks , before rent returns to its normal rate .
Physical assault : A landlord will be able to issue a 14-day notice to terminate the tenancy if the tenant has assulted the landlord , the property owner , a member of their family , or the property manager , and the police have laid a change against the tenant in respect of the assault .
Where can tenants get more information ? Our well-versed property managers can help answer any immediate questions you may have by providing more tailored advice , copies of our free educational guides and resources . There are a number of other helpful sources of tenancy information available for tenants , and we encourage all tenants to investigate and research some of the following websites :
• https :// www . tenancy . govt . nz /
• https :// www . hud . govt . nz /
• https :// www . tpa . org . nz /
Family violence : Tenants experiencing family violence will be able to withdraw from a tenancy without financial penalty , by providing two days ' notice , along with appropriate evidence of the family violene e . g . a protection order or a safety order .
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