Propertyscouts Monthly Landlord Newsletter - August
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.
More choice for tenants, more reason to get the details right
The New Zealand rental market has been a bit more generous to tenants lately.
Recent rental market data shows new rental listings are up compared with the same time last year, with most regions seeing more properties available for rent. So, this is not just one town doing something odd in the corner. The rental market has shifted in quite a few parts of the country.
For tenants, more rental listings mean more choice.
For landlords, it means the little things matter more.
Rent, photos, presentation, warmth, maintenance, location and response times all play a part in how a rental property performs. When tenants have several options in the same area, they are much less likely to overlook tired photos, ambitious pricing or those “we’ll sort it later” maintenance jobs.
One thing we have always said at Propertyscouts is that a well-presented rental property, priced realistically for the local market, will usually attract stronger enquiry. That is true when the market is hot, and it is even more true when tenants have options.
This does not mean every landlord needs to drop the rent. Sometimes it means updating the listing photos. Sometimes it means taking care of small repairs before advertising. Sometimes it means looking closely at what similar rental properties are actually achieving in your area, rather than relying on what the rent was six or twelve months ago.
Because while national rental market headlines are useful, they do not tell the full story. New Zealand does not have one rental market. It has dozens. What is happening in Wellington may be very different to what is happening in Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin or Invercargill.
The takeaway? Tenants may have more choice, but landlords still have plenty of control over how their investment property performs.
Price it properly. Present it well. Keep it maintained. And make sure your decisions are based on your local rental market, not just the national average.
The Latest Ask An Expert from Within the NZ Property Investor Magazine
Propertyscouts is a designated property management expert in the popular magazine - NZ Property Investor. Propertyscouts, recently entered a response to their recent 'Expert Advice Q&A'. Read our latest entry below:
Question: I have a rental property which has no fencing out to the road. My current tenants have asked if they can adopt a dog from the local SPCA. I'm planning to refuse because I think the dog could easily escape the property. I'm also worried it could scratch the wooden flooring in the dining area. Am I being reasonable?
Answer: Possibly, but under the new pet consent laws you’ll need to go further than simply identifying risks.
One of the first Tenancy Tribunal decisions under the new pet legislation, A v B Redacted (2) [2026] NZTT 5452836, provides useful guidance.
In that case, tenants in a middle-floor unit wanted to adopt a puppy. The property had an elevated deck with wire railings, a steep, partially unenclosed rear section, and shared outdoor areas. The landlord refused due to concerns about fencing, noise, potential damage and the dog’s safety.
The tenants responded with practical solutions, including a pet bond, supervision, temporary fencing, protective mats and accepting responsibility for any damage.
The Tribunal confirmed that the starting point has shifted - pets are generally allowed unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse. It applied a two-step test:
1. What are the landlord’s reasons?
2. Are those reasons objectively reasonable?
While the landlord’s concerns were accepted as genuine, the Tribunal found they had largely been addressed by the tenants’ proposals. It also noted that general concerns, such as possible barking, are unlikely to justify refusal without evidence.
The refusal was ruled unreasonable, and the tenants were allowed to keep the dog subject to conditions.
In your situation, lack of fencing and potential floor damage are valid concerns. However, you should consider whether these risks can be mitigated — for example, through temporary fencing, floor protection, supervision or other agreed conditions.
If reasonable measures can address the risks, the Tribunal expects landlords to grant consent with conditions rather than refuse outright.
The key takeaway is that blanket refusals are now difficult to justify. Each request must be considered on its merits, with a genuine assessment of whether practical conditions can reduce the risks to an acceptable level.
Quote to Ponder
“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” - Warren Buffett
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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 2025 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.
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