The changes will take effect throughout 2025, so it’s crucial for landlords and tenants to stay informed. Here’s a breakdown of the new rules and their implementation timeline.
Key Changes to the Law
Bond Modernisation
Effective 17 December 2024: Tenancy bonds must now be lodged online, eliminating the need for signatures.
myRent's been working closely with Tenancy Services on their Bond Transformation project for over a year, so we’ve got you covered. Your bonds can be easily lodged via myRent. We'll guide you through! This update is part of the effort to streamline and modernise the tenancy bond service.
Tenancy Terminations
Effective 30 January 2025:
- Landlords can end periodic tenancies with 90 days' notice without needing to provide a reason, provided no other notice has been issued.
This rule applies to both new and existing tenancies.
Landlords can issue 42 days' notice under specific circumstances:
- The owner or their family member requires the property as their main residence for at least 90 days.
- The property is sold with a requirement for vacant possession.
- The property is required for employees or contractors as outlined in the tenancy agreement.
- The owner or their family member requires the property as their main residence for at least 90 days.
Tenants can end a periodic tenancy with 21 days' notice at any time, as long as no prior notice has been given.
Fixed-term tenancies will automatically convert to periodic tenancies unless:
- A landlord or tenant provides notice 90 to 21 days before the fixed term ends (no reason required).
- Both parties agree on an alternative if more than 90 days remain before the expiry.
Note: This last point does not apply to fixed-term tenancies that expire prior to 1 May 2025.
Technical Updates
Effective 20 March 2025:
- Smoking bans in tenancy agreements are now enforceable but apply specifically to indoor areas of the rental property.
If a landlord wishes to ban smoking anywhere else on the property, they need to make sure it is consistent with parties’ other rights and responsibilities under the RTA, for example the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment.
- Tenancy Tribunal applications can use electronic addresses for service.
An electronic address is considered an email address, fax number, mobile telephone number, or instant messaging account through which information can be easily accessed and referred to.
- Tenancy Tribunal adjudicators can decide certain cases based on submitted documents without holding a hearing.
This will exclude matters involving the termination of a tenancy, or a landlord’s right of entry to the premises or a boarding room.
- Provisions for tenants withdrawing from tenancies due to family violence now extend to dependents.
Pet Consent and Pet Bond
Effective Date TBD (to be determined by Order in Council):
Tenants must seek written consent to keep pets. Landlords may only refuse on reasonable grounds (e.g., property suitability or bylaws).
Landlords can charge a pet bond of up to two weeks' rent in addition to the general bond.
Disability assist dogs are excluded from these rules and do not require consent or a pet bond.
Changes are expected to take place in the second half of 2025 and likely to apply to tenancies that start on the date these provisions take effect. These changes should not impact any pets that are already kept in a rental property before the changes take effect that were agreed to by the landlord or were not prohibited in the tenancy agreement.
What These Changes Mean for Landlords
Landlords need to navigate these new rules carefully to avoid penalties:
Retaliatory Actions: The Tribunal’s expanded powers make it crucial for landlords to handle notices responsibly.
Pet Management: Clear policies and documentation will help manage pet-related issues and justify bond use when necessary.
Shortened Notice Periods: Faster tenant turnover means landlords must prepare for shorter timelines.
Need help understanding these updates or managing your property? myRent is here to help. Discover how our property management tools can simplify self-managing your rental today! Learn more
Learn more about these Tenancy law changes
The information contained in this article is exclusively for promotional purposes. It does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any legal action or contractual dealings. The information is not and does not attempt to be, a comprehensive account of the relevant law in New Zealand. If you require legal advice, you should seek independent legal counsel. myRent.co.nz does not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.
