Residential Tenancies Act 1986

Introduction

You could also call this:

"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.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM94277.

Highlights from this law

17: Requiring key money prohibited

You can't be asked to pay extra money to get or keep renting a place, unless the Tenancy Tribunal says it's okay.

18: Bonds to be no more than 4 weeks' rent

The landlord can only ask for a bond that's equal to 4 weeks' rent or less.

24: Rent increases

Rules for landlords when they want to make the rent higher for people renting their houses

40: Tenant's responsibilities

This explains what you need to do and what you can't do when you rent a house or flat.

45: Landlord's responsibilities

The landlord must keep the rental home safe, clean, and in good condition for the tenant to live in.

48: Landlord's right of entry

Explains when and how a landlord can enter the rented property, and what they need to do first

51: Termination by notice

Rules for landlords and tenants to end a rental agreement by giving notice

77: Jurisdiction of Tribunal

The Tribunal decides disputes between landlords and tenants about rental homes, including what types of homes are covered, how much rent can be charged, and whether someone can stay in or be removed from a rental home.

Topics:

Housing and property > RentingCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

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.

An Act to reform and restate the law relating to residential tenancies, to define the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants of residential properties, to establish a tribunal to determine expeditiously disputes arising between such landlords and tenants, to establish a fund in which bonds payable by such tenants are to be held, and to repeal the Tenancy Act 1955 and the Rent Appeal Act 1973 and their amendments

Residential Tenancies Act 1986

Introduction

"Rules for renting homes and solving renting problems"

Highlights from this law

17: Requiring key money prohibited

18: Bonds to be no more than 4 weeks' rent

24: Rent increases

40: Tenant's responsibilities

45: Landlord's responsibilities

48: Landlord's right of entry

51: Termination by notice

77: Jurisdiction of Tribunal

Residential Tenancies Act 1986

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