Maintenance
Maintaining the property
As a tenant you need to keep the property in a ‘ reasonably clean ’ condition . This means a property manager won ' t be telling you how to live , but they do have an obligation to ensure the property complies with health and safety laws and regulations . The property doesn ’ t have to be perfect , but staying on top of cleaning and maintenance will make it much easier for you upon vacating as you will have kept on top of things throughout the duration of your tenancy .
Maintenance that arises
If something breaks down or goes wrong you need to tell your property manager right away , and always in writing . Include as many details as you can including photos , if possible , as this helps create a permanent record of the maintenance request . Your property manager will provide you with the best contact email or details on how you can log your requests quickly and efficiently .
After hours maintenance
If you have maintenance issues requiring attention outside of normal business hours , we recommend you first check the ‘ Troubleshooting ’ section of this guide ( page 32 ) and ‘ Emergency repairs ’ listed under the ‘ General Information ’ section ( page 25 ).
It can help your property manager to identify and fix any maintenance issues properly if you first use the information within this document to help diagnose the problem .
Your property manager will have an after-hours maintenance process to ensure any emergency situations are dealt with quickly . You should be provided with the best after-hours contact details at the beginning of your tenancy .
Your maintenance responsibilities
Grounds & gardens
Refer back to your signed tenancy agreement or property manager for clarification on this if you are unsure . Unless you have been advised that this responsibility is not yours , it is safe to assume that you are responsible for maintaining the grounds , lawns , and gardens so that these are kept in a reasonably clean and tidy condition at all times .
Guttering
Gutters should be cleaned out at least once a year to remove leaves and debris . If you see wet patches or a concentration of mould on the walls or ceiling close to the gutters , this may indicate they are blocked and you should advise your property manager immediately .
Mould & mildew
Mould and mildew are invariably present in many New Zealand households and removing and containing it is the tenant ’ s responsibility . There are three conditions that have to be present for the growth of mould :
• Mould spores
• A surface with sufficient food source to maintain life
• A source of moisture
To prevent moisture build-up from inside the home you need to have a balance between adequate heating and ventilation . See the ‘ Mould , Dampness & Ventilation ' section of this guide for more information ( page 31 ).
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