Rer Property Management Lists Pitfalls For Landlords

Kiwis are, at heart, do-it-yourselfers’ and unfortunately this attitude still persists in the field of property management, and particularly among landlords who feel they are absolutely capable of managing their properties themselves. Les Hoverd of RER Property Management is at pains to point out the distinct disadvantages that landlords face by taking it upon themselves to manage their own property, not the least of which are the fines that can, and are, imposed on them.

As legislation changes – those in the Property management Industry are certainly up to date with what their obligations are – but what about the private owners managing the properties themselves? ?  They are largely sheltered from this information and therefore open to much higher risk as follows:

12 (Unlawful discrimination) $4,000

16A (6) (Landlord failing to appoint agent when outside New Zealand for longer than 21 consecutive days) $1,000

17 (Requiring key money) $1,000

18 (Landlord requiring bond greater than amount permitted) $1,000

18A (Requiring unauthorised form of security) $1,000

19(2) (Breach of duties of landlord on receipt of bond) $1,000

23 (Landlord requiring rent more than 2 weeks in advance or before rent already paid expires) $1,000

27(2) (Landlord requiring rent in excess of market rent order) $200

29 (Failure by landlord to give receipts for rent) $200

33 (Landlord seizing or disposing of tenant’s goods) $2,000

38(3) (Interference with privacy of tenant) $2,000

40(3A)(d) (Harassment of tenant or neighbour) $ 2,000

45(1A) (Landlord’s failure to meet obligations in respect of cleanliness, maintenance, or building, or health and safety requirements) $3,000

45(2A) (Landlord interfering with supply of services to premises) $ 1,000

46(3) (Altering locks without consent of other party) $1,000

48(4)(a) (Unlawful entry by landlord) $1,000

66I (4) (Landlord of boarding house failing to meet obligations in respect of cleanliness, maintenance, or building, or health and safety requirements) $ 3,000

66J (4) (Landlord of boarding house interfering with services or failing to advise that premises on the market) $1,000

66P (4) (Landlord of boarding house failing to comply with order relating to house rules) $2,000

66T (1) (Contraventions relating to entry, or attempted entry, of tenant’s room in boarding house) $1,000

108(2A) (Intentional breach of work order) $ 3,000

137(2) (Contracting to contravene or evade the provisions of this Act) $ 1,000

We are talking serious money here, so people should take their obligations seriously and talk to a representative of a property management company.

For further information on RER Property, please visit the website at http://www.rer.co.nz .