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Property Management
David Faulkner
2018 The good the bad and the ugly

Where to start? I had the same problem this time last year when I did the same article. 2017 seems like a distant memory now as over the last 12 months, our industry has had everything thrown at it including a bucket of KFC!

In my time working within the Property Management industry and in particular the rental sector, I cannot think of a time when we have had so much upheaval. Saying that it has been a challenge is an understatement. We have a lot to look at so let’s not waste any more time. As ever, we would love your feedback along with your high’s and low’s of the year.

2018 The good the bad and the ugly
Legislation
David Faulkner
Rising rents on the horizon as Government ...

Last week, one of Wellington’s largest Property Management companies made the headlines for suggesting to landlords that they increase rents by $6 a week to recover the cost of the letting fee as they are forced into on charging it to the landlord. Many criticised Oxygen Property Management for taking such an approach however in our opinion, they were simply doing their job.

To expect a company not to try and recoup losses that their clients may face due to landlords absorbing the letting fee is utterly naive and delusional. If you believe that a landlord is not going to try and recover the costs from tenants then you are simply in denial or have no understanding about how business works.

Rising rents on the horizon as Government policy kicks in
Legislation
David Faulkner
Fixed on change. Why tenancy reform will ...

Almost twelve months on from the formation of the Government, the changes around tenancy reform in New Zealand are coming thick and fast. Make no mistake, change is coming and particularly around the security of tenure. A case I dealt with recently highlights why tenants need more security.

Last week I received a call from a Property Manager last week asking for some guidance. The situation arose after a tenant was given 90 days notice to end the tenancy.

Let me explain the scenario for you that many of you reading this will probably relate to this story.

Fixed on change. Why tenancy reform will benefit New Zealand
Legislation, Property Management
David Faulkner
Church Preaches 'Game Changer' As Calls For ...

Never before has our industry come under such intense scrutiny as it has right now. Whether it be tenant groups, politicians, the media or the oppressive Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team, everyone wants to attack Property Managers. In fairness, we seem to be giving them plenty of ammunition and the latest faux pas by a Wellington-based Property Management company was embarrassingly distasteful. One wonders what they must have been thinking? 

With all the negative publicity and an increasingly vocal call from all parties to regulate our industry, it is now a case of when the regulation of our industry will happen rather than if.

Church Preaches 'Game Changer' As Calls For Regulation Intensify
Legislation, Property Management
David Faulkner
The Broken Dreams of Renters United

On Wednesday the 11th of July, Renters United launched their 'Plan to Fix Renting' and it grabbed plenty of media attention. This small group of volunteers have certainly been successful in drawing plenty of attention to themselves and whether you are a tenant or a landlord, you have to hand it to them they are extremely well run and have some prominent public figures backing their cause.

At the launch, they had Philippa Howden-Chapman of Rental Warrant of Fitness fame presenting and supporting them. They also had Sam Huggard of New Zealand Council of Trade Union presenting and Labour MP for Rongotai Paul Eagle was present as well. 

The Broken Dreams of Renters United

landlord

Busted!! The Rise and Fall of The Methamphetamine Industry

Busted!! The Rise and Fall of The Methamphetamine Industry

In August 2014 two-year-old Emma Lita-Bourne died after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The story made the news the following winter after a coroner reported that the condition of the property had contributed to the little girl’s death. The property was contaminated and it wasn’t methamphetamine.

Instead, dampness and mould had played a significant contributing factor into the death of young Emma according to the coroner. It was a story that highlighted the sorry state of many rental properties around New Zealand and in particular, Housing New Zealand.

18 Degrees Celsius. Putting The Heat On Landlords

18 Degrees Celsius. Putting The Heat On Landlords

As winter approaches, few will dispute that the majority of rental property in New Zealand is not good enough. Thousands of tenants up and down the country live in cold, damp property that makes a mockery of our global clean green image.

Late last year a bill was passed through Parliament that will literally change the face the housing in New Zealand forever, yet many people are unaware as to the true impact of this legislation and the cost of compliance.

Let It Be: How To Cope With The Letting Fee Ban

Let It Be: How To Cope With The Letting Fee Ban

  • We explore the best options for dealing with the Letting Fee ban

  • Labour signal that there will be radical changes to the Residential Tenancies Act

We have been warning you now for nearly two years that this was coming and now the day of reckoning is nearly upon us. The new Residential Tenancies (Prohibiting Letting Fees) Amendment Bill is now at the Select Committee stage with public submissions on the bill open until the 23rd May. Expect this to be law by Christmas with a further three months before the fee is banned completely.

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The Landlord Strikes Back

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The Landlord Strikes Back

Saying 'it was an accident' may no longer save tenants after a groundbreaking appeal decision went in the favour of a landlord. The Osaki case has caused many a headache for Property Managers and Landlords, but after this decision we may see some light at the end of the tunnel.

2017: More Properties Managed By Less Companies

2017: More Properties Managed By Less Companies
  • Prediction that more landlords will turn to Property Managers but more companies will sell as compliance costs hit hard
  • Regulation of the Property Management industry a necessity but will anyone listen? 

As we return to work from our Christmas and New Year break, many of us will be wondering what will lie ahead for us in 2017. 

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