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Residential Tenancies Act 1986

Boarding house tenancies - Rights and obligations of landlords and tenants

66K: Obligations of tenant

You could also call this:

"Your responsibilities as a tenant"

Illustration for Residential Tenancies Act 1986

You must pay rent on time. You must use your room mainly for living. You must keep your room clean and tidy. You must not damage the premises on purpose. You must not stop fire escapes from working as they should, as stated in the Building Act 2004. You must not use your room for something illegal. You have other obligations too, like following house rules. You must also comply with rules about smoke alarms, as stated in regulations made under section 138A. You must tell your landlord if you find any damage or if repairs are needed.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3283912.

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Topics:
Housing and property > Renting
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"What your landlord must do for you"

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66L: Tenant’s liability for damage caused by others, or

"A tenant is responsible for damage caused by their guests in a boarding house, unless they can prove otherwise."

Part 2ABoarding house tenancies
Rights and obligations of landlords and tenants

66KObligations of tenant

  1. The tenant of a boarding house must—

  2. pay the rent when it is payable under the tenancy agreement; and
    1. ensure that the tenant’s boarding room is occupied principally for residential purposes; and
      1. keep the tenant’s room reasonably clean and reasonably tidy, and in a condition that does not create a health or safety hazard; and
        1. comply with all requirements in respect of smoke alarms imposed on the tenant by regulations made under section 138A; and
          1. notify the landlord, as soon as possible after discovery, of any damage to the premises or of the need for any repairs; and
            1. observe the house rules.

                1. The tenant of a boarding house must not—

                2. intentionally or carelessly damage, or permit any other person to damage, the premises, or damage the premises as a result of keeping a pet; or
                  1. cause or permit any interference with, or render inoperative, any means of escape from fire within the meaning of the Building Act 2004; or
                    1. use the tenant’s boarding room, or permit the room to be used, for an unlawful purpose; or
                      1. cause or permit any interference with the reasonable peace, comfort, or privacy of any person residing in the neighbourhood; or
                        1. affix any fixture to the premises, or make any renovation, alteration, or addition of or to the premises, without the prior written consent of the landlord; or
                          1. alter, add to, or remove from the premises any lock or similar device; or
                            1. keep a pet on the premises without the permission of the landlord.

                              1. The obligations in this section are in addition to the obligation in section 66G(3).

                              2. The following are declared to be unlawful acts:

                              3. a contravention of subsection (2)(b):
                                1. a contravention of subsection (2)(c):
                                  1. a contravention of subsection (2)(d) in circumstances that amount to harassment of a neighbour of the tenant.

                                    1. See sections 49A and 49B in relation to the tenant’s liability for a contravention of subsection (2)(a).

                                    Notes
                                    • Section 66K: inserted, on , by section 49 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 95).
                                    • Section 66K(1)(ca): inserted, on , by section 19 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 26).
                                    • Section 66K(1)(e): amended, on , by section 16(1) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 37).
                                    • Section 66K(1)(f): repealed, on , by section 16(2) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 37).
                                    • Section 66K(2)(a): amended, on , by section 35 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 52).
                                    • Section 66K(5): inserted, on , by section 16(3) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 37).