Monday, March 25, 2019
Q&A
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
Friday, March 01, 2019
Must I send a copy of the Watercare bill to my tenant?
This week's question comes from Don (paraphrased): My tenant is withholding payment of his water usage saying that I am required by the RTA to send him a copy of the original bill. Does that sound right to you? Our response: No. No such requirement exists in the RTA. That said, we can't think of a reason why you wouldn't. S39(3) gives you the right to seek reimbursement f... read more
Monday, February 25, 2019
Ring-fencing submission FAQs
Some frequently asked questions prompted by our latest call for all investor to put in their submission for the proposed law change to ring-fence rental tax losses are worth sharing. Before we delve in, a reminder that this Thursday is the last day to make a submission to or against ring-fencing tax losses. This is too important an issue for investors to stay silent on. Submissi... read more
Friday, February 22, 2019
Who can receive rent?
This week's question comes from Jae (paraphrased): I live in Korea and own an Auckland rental property. My son lives in Auckland. Can he, on my behalf, sign a property management authority with a property manager and receive rent as his income? Katrina O'Connor from Barfoot & Thompson kindly responds below: Your son would be able to complete and sign a property man... read more
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Can your tenant trespass you from your rental property?
This week's question comes from Barry (paraphrased): An impending termination has gone sour; the tenant is now threatening to issue me with a trespass notice barring me from entering onto the rental property. Can he do that? Our response: The short answer is yes. In general, the rules of trespass is covered by the Trespass Act 1980 ("the Act"). The Act itself protects anyone ... read more
Thursday, February 07, 2019
Can Tenancy Services lawfully request information about my rental?
This week's question comes from Alan (paraphrased): Tenancy Services recently sent me an information request for details of insulation at one of my rentals. Are they have the right to that information? Our response: The short answer is yes. The authority to audit rests with the Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team ("TCIT") that is part of Tenancy Services. In fact, ... read more
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Am I running a boarding house?
This week's question comes from Sue (paraphrased): I am renting out a property that has six bedrooms. For the purpose of the Residential Tenancies Act, is it irrefutably a boarding house or can it be a normal residential rental? Our response: To answer this question, we first look at the definitions of both boarding house and boarding house tenancy per the Reside... read more
Upcoming Events
02-Apr-2019
Members Only APIA Webinar - Reconsidering trusts
02-Apr-2019
APIA Property Mixer (Sylvia Park)
03-Apr-2019
Members Only APIA Webinar - Fact or fiction? Re-examining common property old wives' tales
04-Apr-2019
APIA Property Mixer (Warkworth)
