Plain language law
New Zealand law explained for everyone
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
“Rules for renting homes and solving renting problems”
This law changes the rules about renting homes. It explains what tenants and landlords can and can’t do when someone is renting a place to live. The law sets up a special group called a tribunal that can quickly solve problems between tenants and landlords.
The law also creates a fund where tenants’ bonds (money they pay when they start renting) are kept safe. This new law replaces two older laws about renting: the Tenancy Act from 1955 and the Rent Appeal Act from 1973, along with any changes that were made to those laws.
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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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: 1: Short Title and commencement
or “This part tells us the name of the law and when it starts working.”Residential Tenancies Act 1986
- Reprint as at:
- 2023-03-31
- Assent:
- 1986-12-17
- Commencement:
- see section 1(2)
The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.
This Act is administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.