Thursday, May 23, 2019
Q&A
Thursday, May 16, 2019
HHS heating standards for tenants on Globug
This week's question comes from Helen (paraphrased): It appears that Fujitsu NZ does not recommend installing its heat pumps at properties that are on Globug (Globug is a prepaid power service that connects and disconnects power in between account top-ups) as recurring connection followed by disconnection can damage the hardware. My tenant is on Globug, what should I do about... read more
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Unconventional ways to increase rent
This week's question comes from John (paraphrased): With respect to rent increases can you: 1. Give notice for two or more phased increases e.g. rather than one notice for $20 increase in 60 days give one notice for two $10 increase, one in 60 days and another in 240 days)? 2. Have as a condition in the tenancy agreement to increase the rent by $x per head for any ... read more
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
More roadblocks to ringfencing?
This week's question comes from Tania (paraphrased): Now that submissions have closed for ring-fencing, what happens next? Is there anything else investors can do to stop it from becoming law? Andrew King from the New Zealand Property Investors' Federation kindly replies below: Public submissions on ring-fencing have closed, so our opportunity to have input in... read more
Thursday, April 11, 2019
How safe is Google Drive for storing banking and investment documents?
This week's question comes from Alex (paraphrased): Is it safe to use Google Drive to store all of my banking and tenancy/investment documents? How often should I change my password? Vijay Nyayapati from Redbrick Technology Limited kindly responds below: Google Drive has been strong on security, provided you follow their recommendations such... read more
Monday, April 01, 2019
CGT on family homes with rent-by-room
This week's question comes from Tina (paraphrased): The TWG report recommends that family homes be exempt from its proposed CGT. If I sell a family home which has had rooms rented out over a period of time, would I have to pay CGT on the sale or a portion of the sale? Amanda Watt from Shortland CA kindly responds below: Based on the TWG's final rep... read more
Monday, March 25, 2019
Is remedial insulation deductible?
This week's question comes from Ron (paraphrased): What is the tax treatment for remedial insulation on a rental property where existing insulation is going to be topped up (i.e. part repair part improvement)? Mark Withers from Withers Tsang kindly responds below: The government has not assisted the push for better insulation of Kiwi homes by failing to clarify the capital/r... read more
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
What is the standard for installing heating at rental properties?
This week's question comes from Fred (paraphrased): What is the standard for installing heating at residential rental properties? A well-timed question! Regrettably, there isn't a straightforward answer. Why? Because the entire rental industry has found ourselves smack-bang in the middle of a strange twilight zone bookended by the Home Improvement Regulations (HI... read more
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Tenant's 'shadow' partner - guarantor or joint tenant?
This week's question comes from Kelly (paraphrased): I have a lady tenant with kids who would prefer not to put her partner’s name on the tenancy agreement because her WINZ supplement would then be discontinued. I think she will need his income to be able to afford the property and if he is staying there I want him to be responsible for the rent, damage etc. Is it a good id... read more
Monday, March 04, 2019
CGT on own homes?!
This week's question comes from Pat (paraphrased): I heard something about homes being subject to CGT under the current proposal if it is past a certain size. The property I am thinking of is on 5 acres with approximately 2 acres of grass and the rest in bush. There is no income from the property. Is this correct and wouldn't this affect many life-style type properties? Ama... read more
Upcoming Events
06-Jun-2019
APIA Property Mixer (Warkworth)
08-Jun-2019
Members Only Property Show-&-Tell #2: Insulation
