Bill to change tenancy rules, increase penalties introduced
NZPA | Friday May 15 2009 - 03:41pm
The Government has introduced a bill changing tenancy laws which it says balances landlord and tenant rights.
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill would update and clarify existing rental laws, Housing Minister Phil Heatley said.
"It adjusts the balance of the Residential Tenancies Act, enabling landlords to manage their properties effectively and ensuring tenants have access to stable, good quality accommodation," he said.
"It will protect some of the most vulnerable people -- those living in boarding houses -- but will also address risks to landlords providing rental accommodation."
Key changes were
* to extend the Act (including protecting access to advice, information and dispute resolution services) to more people involved in renting, such as tenants in boarding houses;
* to clarify responsibility for outgoings by introducing overarching principles to indicate when landlords or tenants are responsible for charges such as water or rates;
* introduce better processes for terminating and renewing tenancies;
* increase fines and exemplary damages and introducing new sanctions to improve compliance;
* provide for faster tenancy dispute resolution;
* improve the enforceability of tribunal orders;
* clarify the status of a tenancy when a sole tenant dies;
* require the Tenancy Tribunal to terminate a tenancy where a tenant has permitted someone else to assault, or threaten to assault, specified persons (including the tenant's landlord); and
* require landlords to disclose whether the premises have had to be cleansed under a statutory order (e.g. because the premises have been contaminated due to methamphetamine manufacture).
NZPA | Friday May 15 2009 - 03:41pm
The Government has introduced a bill changing tenancy laws which it says balances landlord and tenant rights.
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill would update and clarify existing rental laws, Housing Minister Phil Heatley said.
"It adjusts the balance of the Residential Tenancies Act, enabling landlords to manage their properties effectively and ensuring tenants have access to stable, good quality accommodation," he said.
"It will protect some of the most vulnerable people -- those living in boarding houses -- but will also address risks to landlords providing rental accommodation."
Key changes were
* to extend the Act (including protecting access to advice, information and dispute resolution services) to more people involved in renting, such as tenants in boarding houses;
* to clarify responsibility for outgoings by introducing overarching principles to indicate when landlords or tenants are responsible for charges such as water or rates;
* introduce better processes for terminating and renewing tenancies;
* increase fines and exemplary damages and introducing new sanctions to improve compliance;
* provide for faster tenancy dispute resolution;
* improve the enforceability of tribunal orders;
* clarify the status of a tenancy when a sole tenant dies;
* require the Tenancy Tribunal to terminate a tenancy where a tenant has permitted someone else to assault, or threaten to assault, specified persons (including the tenant's landlord); and
* require landlords to disclose whether the premises have had to be cleansed under a statutory order (e.g. because the premises have been contaminated due to methamphetamine manufacture).
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