Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

 Plain Language Law homepage
Back to
24: Rent increases
or “Rules for landlords when they want to make the rent higher for people renting their houses”
You could also call this:

“When a temporary rent discount ends, the original rent comes back without counting as a rent increase.”

If you and your landlord agree that you can pay less rent for a certain time or until something specific happens, this is called a temporary rent reduction. This agreement changes your tenancy agreement for a while. The rules in sections 13B and 13C of the law apply to this change.

When the agreed time is over or the specific event happens, you’ll need to start paying the original rent amount again. This isn’t considered a rent increase; it’s just going back to what you agreed to pay before the temporary reduction.

Remember, this is just how the law describes temporary rent reductions. If you’re in this situation, it’s a good idea to make sure you understand exactly when your rent will go back to the original amount.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

Next up: 25: Market rent

or “You can ask for a fair rent if you think you're paying too much compared to similar homes in your area.”
Next

Part 2 Tenancy agreements
Key money, bonds, and rents

24AExpiry of temporary rent reduction

  1. If the parties to a tenancy agree that, during a specified period or until the occurrence of a specified event, the tenant is entitled to pay a lower rent,—

  2. the agreement is a variation of the tenancy agreement to which sections 13B and 13C apply; and
    1. on the expiry of the period or the occurrence of the event, the rent payable before the variation is reinstated; and
      1. that reinstatement does not constitute a rent increase.

        Notes
        • Section 24A: inserted, on , by section 20 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 95).