Thursday, November 14, 2019
Q&A
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Will increasing the rent give rise to a mandatory obligation to disclose insurance details
This week's question comes from Peter (paraphrased): In the case of an ongoing periodic tenancy that started before 27th August 2019, does the landlord's obligation to disclose insurance details to tenants become mandatory after a rent increase? To answer this question, we've turned to Kristine King from Duncan King Law. 'Section ... read more
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Can the OPC smack landlords?
This week's question comes from Thomas (paraphrased): What are the legal effects (if any) of the OPC's guidelines for landlords and what enforcement power does the OPC have? You will recall that over the course of the last few months, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner published, took back and republished its Guidance for landlords and tenants. The latest v... read more
Thursday, September 12, 2019
OCR predictions - should they be taken seriously?
This week's question comes from Pat (paraphrased): The Internet is riddled with OCR predictions. Every commentator sounds just as learned and trustworthy as the next. How seriously should property investors take these predictions? To answer this question, we've turned to Ryan Smuts from Kris Pedersen Mortgages & Insurance. Ryan, take it away! ... read more
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Is the RTAA insurance disclosure a step too far?
This week's question comes from Sue: I have just been advised that with the changes to the Residential Tenancy Act my property manager needs to file my insurance policy pertaining to our rental and the amount of excess and supply both to our tenant on request. Do you have an opinion on supplying such information to a tenant? I understand it has become law, but it seems... read more
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Hardwired smoke alarms at rental properties
This week's question comes from Zosie (paraphrased): Is there a law governing smoke alarms that are wired into house alarms? Who is authorised to check that these alarms are in working order and how often do they need to check it? In answering Zosie's question, we will be speaking specifically about residential tenancy setting aside any issues re... read more
Thursday, June 06, 2019
Extending fix-term tenancies
This week's question comes from John (paraphrased): What notice, if any, is required to extend a fixed-term tenancy? There are a couple of ways to keep a tenancy live, so to speak, at the end of a fixed-term agreement. Option 1: The tenancy continues as a periodic tenancy at the end of the fixed-term. Any fixed-term tenancy that is longer than 90-... read more
Monday, May 27, 2019
Template certificate for rental insulation
This week's question comes from Paul (paraphrased): Where can I download a template certificate for insulation at rental properties? Perhaps it would be prudent to preface the answer somewhat. To be clear, an insulation certificate is not the same as an insulation statement. The latter is a mandatory requirement for your tenancy agreement under both Minimum Standar... read more
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Is a shower dome HHS friendly?
This week's question comes from Matt (paraphrased): The HHS requires that there be an externally vented extractor fan to be placed in the bathroom. What if there is a shower dome in place so that condensation is not a problem? A shower dome does not qualify as an exemption for the HHS ventilation standards. You are still bound to install an externally ven... read more
Thursday, May 16, 2019
