In The Know - Property Management
17 July 2019
Find all the Property Management information on this page or go back to In The Know
2019 RPM Conference - Thriving in Changing Times - Mid-Winter Sale 15% off all individual tickets!
Friday 2 August, Hilton Hotel Auckland
Purchase your individual ticket between Monday 8 July and Sunday 21 July and receive 15% off the regular price!
Members pay $285+gst, down from $335+gst | Non-Members pay $340+gst, down from $400+gst
This not-to-be missed Property Management Conference is hosted by Simon McKinney and filled with a great line-up of speakers such as Lisa O’Neill, Dr Annette Beautrais, Steve Watson, Lisa Gerrard and Sheree Nicholas.
Breakout sessions will be available for Property Managers and Business Owners.
Registration includes Cocktail Networking Drinks where the winner of the ‘2019 Recognition of Contribution to the Property Management Industry’ will be announced.
Case Update: Damage after damage
The issue in this case was whether the tenant complied with their obligations at the end of the tenancy.
Obligations
The tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and return all keys under section 40 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
The Tenancy Tribunal found that the tenant breached this obligation, in particular, the carpets and rubbish. Four light bulbs were also missing. The tenant also removed the smoke alarm.
Compensation was awarded to the Property Management company.
Damage
The law states that when a landlord has insurance, a tenant is not liable for repairs unless the damage was intentional.
Oven, concrete block wall and kitchen door
The property manager claimed that the tenant damaged the kitchen concrete block wall and that the oven door glass and kitchen door were damaged via the use of a sledgehammer or from throwing weights. The tenant responded stating that he had no knowledge of the damage other than having a seizure and hitting his head on the door which caused a hole in the kitchen wall.
The Tribunal was satisfied that the tenant intentionally caused damaged and ordered amounts to repair the damage.
Insulation Statement
The tenant claimed that the property manager failed to provide an insulation statement with the Tenancy.
The Tribunal acknowledged that the property manager had not included a statement in the tenancy agreement as they were waiting for an assessment for insulation to be completed. The Tribunal found that the effect on the tenant of the absent statement was minimal and that exemplary damages were not warranted.
Failing to maintain and repair the premises
The tenant claimed that the premises was damp and mouldy and this had affected his health.
The property manager denied this claim and also provided photographs taken at the end of the tenancy corroborating her evidence and as such, the claim was dismissed. A claim regarding the building code was also dismissed.
Methamphetamine testing
The tenant claimed that the property manager failed to test the property for methamphetamine contamination. The Tribunal stated that there was no legal requirement to test a property unless there was evidence that the premises may have been used for smoke or manufacturing methamphetamine. This claim was also dismissed.
You can find the full decision here.
Blog Article: How to find a good property manager
In the first instance it may not be as easy as you think. There appears to be a shortage of suitably qualified property managers with the experience and skills required to navigate an often challenging work environment.
There are more than 600,000 rental properties in New Zealand of which approximately half are professionally managed – and just like any industry there are going to be those who are shining stars and those who will do things to bring the industry into disrepute.
Residential Property Management Qualification - Second Intake
Due to high demand, there will be a second intake starting 9 September.
Real-iQ - Conflict and Negotiation Workshop
Thursday 1 August, 10am - 4pm | Events on Khyber, Grafton, Auckland
Our industry is in the spotlight like never before and the pressure that comes with the role can be intense. Conflict and negotiation are a daily occurrence in the world of Property Management. The challenges can come thick and fast from all angles, whether it be landlords, tenants, the media, the public and even from within your own team.
Use the discount code REINZmember and pay only $150+gst, down from $195+gst. Book here.
MBIE's 'Renting and You' Roadshow
Between August and September, MBIE will be running free information seminars presenting the Healthy Homes standards and other upcoming changes to tenancy laws on their roadshow from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Find a session near you and register here.
REINZ Residential Rental Review - June 2019
The June REINZ Residential Rental Review is now available here.
