Making Sure Your Tenancy Agreement is Actually Legal
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between you and your tenant. It protects your house and your income. So why would you trust a generic template you found on a random website?
The Basics of a Legal Tenancy Agreement in NZ
Under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), a proper agreement must cover strict requirements:
- The Bond: The maximum you can legally ask for is four weeks' rent. This must be lodged with Tenancy Services within 23 working days.
- Healthy Homes Compliance: Your agreement must include a detailed, signed statement showing exactly how the property meets the Healthy Homes standards (insulation, heating, ventilation, moisture ingress, and draught stopping).
- Insurance Statement: You must disclose whether the property is insured, the excess amount, and make a copy of the policy available to the tenant.
Is your lease RTA compliant?
Don't risk the $7,200 fine. Get our RTA compliance checklist and ensure your agreement is actually legal.
The DIY Headache
Rental laws in New Zealand have changed drastically in the last few years. If you use an outdated agreement, fail to lodge the bond in time, or forget the Healthy Homes compliance statement, you can face massive financial penalties (exemplary damages) from the Tenancy Tribunal.
Why You Should Use a Property Manager
Don't risk your biggest asset on dodgy paperwork. We ensure your property meets every legal standard and your tenancy agreement is iron-clad and fully compliant with the latest RTA changes. We handle the paperwork so you never have to worry about the Tribunal.