Propertyscouts Monthly landlord Newsletter - JULY
Welcome back to the Propertyscouts monthly landlord newsletter, where we update you on all things New Zealand property market, investor insights, seasonal reminders, and more.
Clean Well, Rent Fast: A Simple Step Most Landlords Miss
When one tenancy ends, landlords often turn their focus to finding new tenants. But before marketing begins, there’s one critical step that can make or break first impressions: cleaning.
Even if a property is left “reasonably clean and tidy,” it may still fall short of what’s needed to attract quality tenants - and that’s where many landlords run into trouble.
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Tribunal decisions are clear: If a property meets the legal definition, landlords often can’t recover additional cleaning costs - even if it doesn’t meet market-ready standards.
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The takeaway? Budget for extra cleaning. Just 1- 2 hours of professional attention can help present your property at its best, reduce disputes, and protect your investment.
Property Market Update
Sales activity is on the up - with May seeing 16% more sales than the same time last year, and volumes sitting about 5% above the 10-year average. That’s three months in a row of above-average activity, signalling slow but steady confidence returning to the market.
There’s still plenty of stock on the market (about 20% more than the five-year average), giving buyers the upper hand. If you’re looking to expand your portfolio, it’s worth watching closely.
Concerned About the New Pet Rules?
There’s growing concern among landlords about the upcoming changes to pet rules in rental properties - and for good reason.
The pet consent law has been passed but is not yet in effect. Once the new law comes into effect there will be a presumption that a tenant can keep a pet unless the landlord can justify a refusal with reasonable grounds. If you don’t respond within 21 days, consent will be automatically granted.
What you can do now:
Start getting your process ready for handling pet requests within the legal framework. It’s worth thinking about where you’d draw the line - and making sure you’ve got the right documentation to back you up if needed.
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You’ll need clear, documented reasons - such as unsuitable property features, body corporate rules, or specific council restrictions.
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Even if you’re happy to approve the request, it’s important to set clear expectations from the start. You can agree to a pet bond (up to two weeks’ rent) or require professional carpet cleaning (if the pet lives indoors) - but any conditions must be put in writing and agreed by both parties.
Quote to Ponder
“The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow is our doubts of today.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Disclaimer
Given the opinions expressed in parts of the email, it’s important that we make it clear that the contents are opinions and observations and made in good faith.
Propertyscouts NZ (2020) Limited, trading as Propertyscouts, and its associated parties (including directors, agents, employees, officers or otherwise) have attempted to provide this information to the best of their ability but do not make any representations or warranties of any nature (intended or implied) as to the accuracy of the information on this communication. All recipients of this communication should conduct and rely on their own enquiries in relation to the information on this communication.
The information available on the properties listed for sale, rent or otherwise, has been obtained from the vendor or landlord of the property and the appropriate professional service providers. We do not and cannot verify or guarantee the accuracy of the information obtained in relation to the properties.
The information and/or materials available in this communication are intended to be general information only and may be changed at any time, without notice to you. The information and/or materials in this communication should not be relied on under any circumstances as a substitute for legal, financial, real estate, or other professional and/or expert advice. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Propertyscouts and its associated parties disclaim all liability, responsibility, and negligence for any direct or indirect loss or damage suffered by any person arising from the information and/or materials presented in this communication or any information and/or materials that arise from it.