Things owners should know…
Maintenance: NO Maintenance Fee.
Purple is not in the practice of making money on your invoices. Providing you understand that conducting your own maintenance and repairs you are therefore the PCBU and must follow all Health and Safety and Tenancy Laws accordingly. If you ask Purple Properties to conduct maintenance that requires a visit to the property, it will be charged as such, contact us for more info.
Smoke alarms:
Landlords must have the right type of smoke alarms installed in the right places to meet new regulations which came into force on 1 July 2016.
All new or replacement smoke alarms must be long-life photoelectric smoke alarms with a battery life of at least eight years that meet the required product standards, or a hard-wired smoke alarm system.
Both landlords and tenants now have responsibilities to keep smoke alarms working. Never damage, remove or disconnect a smoke alarm – that includes removing the batteries.
A landlord who fails to comply with smoke alarm obligations is committing an unlawful act and may be liable for a penalty of up to $4,000, while a tenant who fails to comply with their responsibilities may be liable for a penalty of up to $3,000.
These regulations apply to any residential rental covered by the Residential Tenancies Act including rental homes, boarding houses and rental caravans, sleep-outs and similar.
Further information available at https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/maintenance-and-inspections/smoke-alarms/
Insulation:
Insulation statements are compulsory on all tenancy agreements signed since 1 July 2016. The landlord must disclose whether there is insulation in the rental home, where it is, what type and what condition it is in, so tenants can make an informed decision.
Ceiling and underfloor insulation will be compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019 where it is reasonably practicable to install. It must comply with the regulations and be safely installed.
A landlord who fails to comply with the regulations is committing an unlawful act and may be liable for a penalty of up to $4,000.
Further information available at https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/maintenance-and-inspections/insulation/
Methamphetamine:
Landlords should check for any signs of ‘P’ at the property, before they rent a property.
Landlords must provide a clean property
If landlords rent out a property that is contaminated by ‘P’, they are breaching their obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, as well as other legislation such as the Building Act and the Health Act.
The Police and some local authorities have procedures to notify local councils when they identify contaminated properties.
New testing standards
Standards New Zealand has started work on developing a New Zealand standard on the testing and remediation of properties used for the manufacture or use of methamphetamine.
For further information go to https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/starting-a-tenancy/renting-affected-properties/renting-a-property-affected-by-methamphetamine-p/
Insurance:
Landlords should insure their rental property against any damage, either accidental or otherwise. Tenants can arrange their own insurance to protect their contents and liability for damage to the landlord’s property.
Landlords need insurance to cover damage
If you’re a landlord, make sure your insurance covers the property, and that the cover is for a rental property. The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 requires you to pay the premiums charged for that insurance.
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
Check exactly what your policy covers. Some insurers cover issues to do with tenancy (for example, vacancy periods and damage by the tenant).
Talk to your insurance company about their requirements for making claims. Some insurers need landlords to prove they’ve completed a thorough tenancy selection process before honouring damage claims.
You may also choose to insure any chattels (such as furniture) that are listed in the tenancy agreement. Any damage to them won’t be covered by the tenant’s contents insurance.
For further information go to https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/starting-a-tenancy/ready-to-rent/insurance/