Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Residential Tenancies Act 1986

Tenancy agreements - Rights and obligations of parties

47: Landlord to give notice to tenant if premises put on market

You could also call this:

“The landlord must tell you right away if they decide to sell the house you're renting.”

If your landlord decides to sell the house or flat you’re renting, they must tell you about it in writing as soon as they can. This is important because it might affect your living situation.

When landlords are trying to find new tenants for a place they’re renting out, they need to tell possible tenants if the property is for sale. This helps people make informed decisions about whether they want to rent the place.

If your landlord doesn’t tell you that they’re selling the property you’re renting, they’re breaking the law. It’s considered an unlawful act.

If a landlord doesn’t tell possible new tenants that the property is for sale, they’re also breaking the law. This is called an infringement offence, and the landlord might have to pay a fine. The amount they have to pay is listed in Schedule 1B of the law.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM95502.

Topics:
Housing and property > Renting
Crime and justice > Criminal law
Previous

46: Locks, or

“Landlords must keep the house safe with good locks, and neither landlords nor tenants can change locks without asking first.”

Next

48: Landlord's right of entry, or

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

Part 2 Tenancy agreements
Rights and obligations of parties

47Landlord to give notice to tenant if premises put on market

  1. If, at any time after entering into a tenancy agreement, the landlord puts the premises on the market for the purposes of sale or other disposition, the landlord must, as soon as practicable, give written notice of that fact to the tenant.

  2. When a landlord is offering residential premises as available for letting, the landlord shall inform prospective tenants if the premises are on the market for the purposes of sale or other disposition.

  3. A landlord who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) commits an unlawful act.

  4. A landlord who fails to comply with subsection (2) commits an infringement offence and is liable to a fine or an infringement fee specified in Schedule 1B.

Notes
  • Section 47 heading: amended, on , by section 29(1) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
  • Section 47(1): amended, on , by section 29(2)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
  • Section 47(1): amended, on , by section 29(2)(b) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
  • Section 47(2): inserted, on , by section 20 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 7).
  • Section 47(3): inserted, on , by section 29(3) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
  • Section 47(4): inserted, on , by section 29(3) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).