In December 2024, the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act was passed into law meaning changes are on the way that Property Managers, Landlords, and Tenants need to be aware of.

The government introduced changes to assist with the housing crisis with the aim to help give landlords the confidence to enter or re-enter the rental market and provide much needed rental homes.

Below is a list of some key changes to the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act and the dates they will come into effect:

Termination changes in effect from 30 January 2025

• Landlords’ can end a periodic tenancy with 90 days’ notice without a specific reason.
• Landlords’ can give 42 days’ notice to end a periodic tenancy in specific circumstances.
• Tenants’ can give 21 days (previously 28 days) notice to end a periodic tenancy.
• Landlords’ will have the ability to give notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of its term without requiring a specific reason.

Changes in effect from 20 March 2025

• Landlords can ban smoking inside the main rental premises with the clause enforceable in the Tenancy Tribunal.
• Changes outline that withdrawing from a tenancy due to family violence will cover children/dependents aswell.
• Allowing the use of an email address as an ‘Address for Service’.

Pet changes still to come (Dates to be clarified later)

• Pet-related changes, including the ability to charge a pet bond at a maximum equivalent of two weeks’ rent.
• New pet consent and damage liability rules.
• Further guidance on pet bonds and consents will be available from Tenancy Services once provisions are due to commence.

More information can be found on the Tenancy Services website and of course we will be across any changes as they come into effect.

Helpful Links:

• https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/law-changes/
• https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/changes-encourage-more-rental-homes-passed-law