Whether you are letting your first home or reviewing an established rental, start with the decisions that affect the tenancy and the property’s ongoing care. This hub connects you with our Christchurch team, practical owner information and the right next step.
Read our management service, the property-management process and meet the team. We offer ongoing management and one-off leasing. Ask for a written explanation of inclusions, fees, additional charges, inspection arrangements, repair authority and owner reporting before appointing a manager.
Deal with maintenance before advertising, check supplied chattels and keys, and make sure presentation matches what the tenant will receive. Gather the agreement, condition reports, appliance information, insurance details, compliance evidence and any relevant consents. Check that the intended rental accommodation can lawfully be used for that purpose. A converted garage, sleepout or extra room should not be assumed to be approved accommodation.
Rental homes must meet the Healthy Homes standards unless an exemption applies. The five areas are heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. Owners must maintain compliance and keep supporting records; the required compliance statement belongs with the tenancy agreement. Use the Tenancy Services landlord guidance to check the requirements and any property-specific exemption.
Working smoke alarms are a separate requirement. Check their location, type, expiry and operation, and retain the records. See the current smoke-alarm rules. A general checklist is a starting point, not a compliance assessment for an individual property.
A rental appraisal considers the home, its condition, features and comparable rental evidence. Advertised asking rents are not proof of what a property will achieve. Review income alongside vacancy, rates, insurance, maintenance, management costs and any financing or tax advice relevant to you. Changes to rent must follow the rules that apply to the tenancy; discuss the evidence and notice requirements before a review.
Keep the team informed if your contact details, insurance, plans for the property or ownership arrangements change. Read how inspections, repairs and owner records fit together.
Use our pets information for consent and recordkeeping, and our methamphetamine information if a concern needs proper assessment. Avoid making allegations or commissioning work based only on suspicion.
Before work that could disturb older building materials, check asbestos responsibilities and use appropriate professionals. After a natural disaster, put safety first, document damage where safe and check the tenancy implications of disaster damage before deciding how occupation, repairs or rent should be handled.
Talk to your property manager and chosen salesperson early. Putting a rental on the market does not automatically end its tenancy. Tenants must be told in writing, and access for viewings and photographs requires the appropriate agreement, with respect for their privacy and home. Coordinate notices, keys, records and settlement arrangements before promising vacant possession. Read Tenancy Services guidance on selling a rental.
Keep dated agreements, payment and inspection records, repair requests and correspondence. Raise concerns early and record any agreed solution. For a dispute that cannot be resolved directly, Tenancy Services outlines self-resolution, mediation and Tribunal options.
Call 03 386 0311 or contact New Era to discuss your rental. This page gives general information; individual legal, tax, insurance and building questions need advice suited to the property and circumstances.