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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:

“Things you need to do and not do when you rent a room in a boarding house”

As a tenant in a boarding house, you have several responsibilities. You need to pay your rent on time as agreed. Your room should be used mainly for living in. You must keep your room clean, tidy, and safe. You also need to follow the rules about smoke alarms. If you notice any damage or repairs needed, you should tell the landlord right away. You must follow the house rules.

There are things you’re not allowed to do. You can’t damage the building on purpose or by being careless. You can’t mess with fire escapes. Your room can’t be used for anything illegal. You shouldn’t bother your neighbours or disturb their peace. You need to ask the landlord before you make any changes to your room or add any fixtures. You can’t change the locks without permission. You also need the landlord’s okay to keep a pet.

These rules are on top of the ones in section 66G(3).

Some actions are against the law. These include messing with fire escapes, using your room for illegal things, and bothering your neighbours so much it’s like harassment.

If you damage the property, you might have to pay for it. You can learn more about this in sections 49A and 49B.

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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.

Topics:
Housing and property > Renting
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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66J: Other obligations of landlord, or

“The landlord must follow rules to protect tenants, like keeping services working and telling tenants about changes or sales.”

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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 2A Boarding 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
                  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(5): inserted, on , by section 16(3) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 37).