Friday, January 11, 2019
Q&A
Monday, December 17, 2018
Peter Lewis: VP²
At its latest Executive Meeting, the New Zealand Property Investors' Federation ("the NZPIF" or "the Federation") appointed our very own Peter Lewis as its Vice President. Being both the Vice President of the APIA as well as the NZPIF puts Peter in a unique perspective of issues facing investors both locally and nationwide. We managed to grab a few minutes from Peter's bus... read more
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
What is 'reasonable' post-letting fee?
So, no more letting fees as of today. Our expectation is that most landlords will bear the cost of letting. That said, there are still other costs relating to the assignment of a tenancy that the amendment has stayed silent on. Tenancy Services has put out a statement advising that "landlords and agents can still recover expenses reasonably incurred from a ... read more
Monday, September 04, 2017
Landlord Q&A - Extending lease on rental being used for business purposes
I have a fixed-term tenant who is using the (residential) rental as a massage clinic. Now that the fixed-term is over, the tenant is requesting for another two years of fixed-term tenancy. I read from the template tenancy agreement that the property has to be used principally for residential purposes. That is not the case here. I do want to ke... read more
Monday, July 10, 2017
Landlord Q&A - Health and safety policy requirements for landlords
We are landlords of both commercial and residential properties and have been advised that we are required to have a Health And Safety Policy And Plan. Is that correct? If so, what should the policy/plan cover? Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (“Act”) commercial landlords and (at times) residential landlords are Persons Conducting a Business or ... read more
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Building Q&A - Building contracts
I am building a home first time and needed advice on the contracts that builders will sign since I hear that builders hardly ever sign much and that contracts are weak in terms of getting good quality / trustworthy service to completion. Can you tell me if they will sign sundowner clauses, a penalty clause for time and cost overrun? Also, will they agree to receive t... read more
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Landlord Q&A - Extra Airbnb income for landlords?
If a landlord’s consent is being sought for the tenant to sublet the property to Airbnb guests and in return for the consent the tenant offers a percentage of the Airbnb earnings, could the landlord legally accept that offer under the RTA? Interestingly, the Tenancy Tribunal has recently ruled that Airbnb is subletting and so the tenant requires the owner... read more
Monday, January 16, 2017
Landlording Q&A - Should I give a written reference?
My out-going tenant is requesting a reference in writing. Should I give it? Landlords are not under any legal obligation to give their tenants references. When you act as a referee for an ex-tenant, you do so out of goodwill. Should you give your reference in writing? You are, of course, free to do so but we recommend ... read more
Wednesday, September 07, 2016
Conveyancing Q&A - Long settlements
In this week's Conveyancing Q&A, Hilary Jenkins covers issues relating to long settlements. I am negotiating on a property where the vendor is asking for a long settlement (12 months) for selling at below market value. I don’t mind the long settlement but anything can happen in the next 12 months that can significantly change the deal for ... read more
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Conveyancing Q&A - Vendor demands more money before settlement
In this week's Conveyancing Q&A, Hilary Jenkins talks about property sharing agreements. I am about to settle on a house. The agreement is now unconditional. The vendor is leaving the country immediately after settlement and has now told my solicitor that unless I pay an extra $7,000 to purchase all the chattels off her she will instruct her solicit... read more
Upcoming Events
05-Feb-2019
Members Only APIA Webinar - What do you need to know when you invest in cross-lease rentals
07-Feb-2019
APIA Property Mixer (Warkworth)
12-Feb-2019
Members Only Investor keynote: Mastering 2019
