Monthly Landlord Newsletters

Welcome back to the Propertyscouts monthly landlord newsletter, where we update you on all things New Zealand property market, investor insights, seasonal reminders, and more.

Navigating a Renter’s Market

The rental market is shifting, and landlords are facing new challenges. Right now, it’s a renter’s market - meaning tenants have more options and rental values are adjusting in response to high supply and reduced demand.

Pricing your property competitively is now key to securing tenants quickly, but even well-maintained homes can stay vacant if the rent expectations don’t align with the market. Tenants have plenty of choice, so if your rent is higher than similar properties nearby, it may be time to reconsider.

Here are some tips to stay ahead:

• Be open to lowering rent -  even a small reduction can attract more interest.

• Allow pets where possible.

• Consider minor upgrades like improved heating or ventilation to boost appeal.

• Considering shorter or periodic lease options 

 

What Happens If Your Rental Property Isn’t Healthy Homes Compliant?

The 1st July 2025 Healthy Homes compliance deadline has come and gone, and that means all rental properties in New Zealand are now expected to meet the full set of standards.

If your rental property isn’t compliant with the requirements around heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, and draught stopping, Landlords could face serious fines of up to $7,200 per breach, Tenancy Tribunal cases, and increased scrutiny from MBIE’s Compliance & Investigations Team.

The Healthy Homes Standards have raised the bar -  and that’s a good thing. Across the country, they’ve helped make homes warmer, drier, and healthier. But after working closely with hundreds of landlords and properties, there are a few areas we believe could make the standards even more effective and practical. Read more here

 

The Latest Ask An Expert from Within the NZ Property Investor Magazine

Propertyscouts is a designated Property Management Expert in the popular magazine - NZ Property Investor. Our Managing Director, Ryan Weir, recently entered a response to their recent 'Expert Advice Q&A'. Read our August & September entry below:

Question: Is pressing the test button on a smoke alarm enough to meet my responsibilities as a landlord, or is there a better way to check they’re working?

Answer:This is something a lot of landlords get wrong. Pressing the test button on a smoke alarm doesn’t actually check if it can detect smoke - it just checks the battery and circuitry. So if it beeps, all you really know is that the power’s working, not whether the alarm will go off in a real fire.

To properly test a smoke alarm, use a smoke alarm test aerosol - basically smoke in a can. They’re cheap and easy to find at most hardware stores. A quick spray under the alarm should trigger it if the sensor’s working.

Also worth a reminder - smoke alarms are legally required within every bedroom or within 3 metres of every bedroom door, and on every level of the house, even if nobody sleeps on that floor. 

Landlords are considered PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) under the Health and Safety at Work Act. That puts a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to keep tenants safe - and that includes making sure smoke alarms are both installed correctly and working properly.

So yes, press the button at inspections - but at least once a year, do a proper smoke test, check expiry dates, and give the alarms a clean. 

 

Quote to Ponder

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

 

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Disclaimer

Given the opinions expressed in parts of the email, it’s important that we make it clear that the contents are opinions and observations and made in good faith.  

Propertyscouts NZ (2020) Limited, trading as Propertyscouts, and its associated parties (including directors, agents, employees, officers or otherwise) have attempted to provide   this information to the best of their ability but do not make any representations or warranties of any nature (intended or implied) as to the accuracy of the information on this communication. All recipients of this communication should conduct and rely on their own enquiries in relation to the information on this communication.

The information available on the properties listed for sale, rent or otherwise, has been obtained from the vendor or landlord of the property and the appropriate professional service providers. We do not and cannot verify or guarantee the accuracy of the information obtained in relation to the properties.

The information and/or materials available in this communication are intended to be general information only and may be changed at any time, without notice to you. The information and/or materials in this communication should not be relied on under any circumstances as a substitute for legal, financial, real estate, or other professional and/or expert advice. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Propertyscouts and its associated parties disclaim all liability, responsibility, and negligence for any direct or indirect loss or damage suffered by any person arising from the information and/or materials presented in this communication or any information and/or materials that arise from it.