NZPIF conveys disappointment in latest changes in tenancy law reform

The second reading of the bill resulted in “minimal” changes

NZPIF conveys disappointment in latest changes in tenancy law reform

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill is under fire as many organisations express their disappointment even with the recent changes, with the NZ Property Investors' Federation (NZPIF) insisting that the bill would stop landlords from protecting tenants living next door to those with antisocial behaviour.

Currently, landlords can issue a 90-day notice to remove tenants without providing any reason. Under the new bill, landlords will have to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to end the tenancy and could only remove tenants if they engage in three acts of disruptive behaviour within three months.

The latest amendment to the bill indicates that it is up to the landlord to prove each antisocial incident if their tenant challenges their notice to end the tenancy. Therefore, neighbours who complained about the tenant's behaviour would be at risk by providing evidence to the tribunal.

Sharon Cullwick, the executive officer of NZPIF, said the organisation is disappointed that the second reading of the bill ended up with only minimal changes.

“Anyone living next to disruptive or antisocial tenants will be disturbed by this bill,” Cullwick said.

Read more: REINZ expresses “disappointment” in final report on tenancy law reform

A survey conducted by the NZPIF of 1,325 rental property providers revealed that only 3% of tenancies ended annually through a 90-day notice, with nearly half issued for disruptive behaviour.

The bill would only protect 2% of tenants who are disrupting their neighbours. However, it still amounts to around 12,000 tenants causing problems for around 60,000 neighbouring households nationwide, said Cullwick.

“Private landlords will no longer be able to protect people living next door to loud, obnoxious, and potentially violent privately housed tenants,” she continued.

“It can already be difficult to manage tenants behaving badly, and this proposal will make it even harder, potentially impossible, while putting neighbours at risk.”

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