If you sign up to a residential tenancy you are entitled to a copy of the signed Tenancy and a receipt for any payments made and your bond must not exceed four weeks rent.
You are entitled to a clean and tidy property before you move in and you must keep it clean and tidy and leave it so when you depart. All locks must work and the property be reasonably secure when you move in.
You must fix any damage you or your visitors cause and notify your landlord of any damage and necessary repairs. You are entitled to 24 hours notice for the landlord to enter to carry out repairs unless there is an emergency. Repairs should be carried out between 8 am and 7 pm unless you agree.
You are entitled to at least 60 days notice of any increase in rent and 48 hours notice of any inspection of the property. You do not have to agree to more than one inspection every four weeks.
You are entitled to notice in writing if the property is going to be sold and your consent must be obtained for visits by real estate agents, valuers or potential purchasers. You must agree on reasonable terms that suit you and the landlord.
You must pay your rent (a maximum of two weeks in advance) on time and without deduction even if you have carried out repairs.
You are entitled to be reimbursed the costs of emergency repairs if you tried to contact the landlord to carry out those repairs but were not able to reach them or they failed to arrange the repairs.
You must pay for your electricity, water, gas and internet use unless agreed otherwise.
You must ensure that you do not let more people live in the property than the number specified in the agreement. You are allowed short stay visitors that exceed this number.
You must not change the locks or renovate the building without the landlord’s consent but you are allowed to reasonably put up things like shelves.
If you are on a periodic tenancy (usually month to month) you must give 21 days notice of your departure.
When you leave you must leave the place clean and tidy and free of all your belongings. You must not remove any of the landlord’s belongings and must return all keys, access cards and garage openers etc. You are entitled to the return of your bond from MBIE and should get the necessary form signed by the landlord (less any rent or damages outstanding).
You must not threaten the landlord or neighbours nor disturb the peace or privacy of other tenants or neighbours or allow any of your visitors to do so.
You must not interfere with smoke alarms or fire escapes or do anything illegal at the property.
You cannot transfer the tenancy to anyone else but if the tenancy is in your name you can take on flat mates but you are responsible for their actions. It pays to have tenants insurance to cover any damage they or visitors may do. Otherwise you can be up for the costs of the repairs.
For more information on this topic, please contact the Rainey Collins office (04 4736850)or the article author - Alan Knowsley.
