Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Plain Language Law homepage
132: No execution
or “Money in the Residential Tenancies Trust Account can't be taken without the boss's okay.”

You could also call this:

“People in charge can ask landlords to show them the rules for renting houses.”

The Tribunal or the chief executive can ask a landlord in writing to tell them about the rules in their tenancy agreements. This can be for specific agreements or all of the landlord’s agreements that are either current or ended in the last 12 months.

The notice can ask the landlord to show the Tribunal or chief executive the actual tenancy agreements, including any changes or renewals. The Tribunal or chief executive can look at these documents, make notes about them, and take copies or parts of them.

If you’re a landlord and you get this kind of notice, you need to respond within 10 working days. If you don’t, and you don’t have a good reason why not, you’re breaking the law. You could be fined up to $3,600 if you’re found guilty.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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: 134: Waiver by landlord of breach by tenant

or “If a landlord lets a tenant break a rule once, they can still enforce it later, but the Tenancy Tribunal might consider this if the landlord wants to end the tenancy.”

Part 5 Miscellaneous provisions

133Tribunal or chief executive may require terms of tenancy agreements

  1. The Tribunal or the chief executive may, by notice in writing, require a landlord to inform the Tribunal or the chief executive of the provisions of any specified tenancy agreement or agreements, or of all tenancy agreements to which the landlord is a party, that—

  2. are current; or
    1. that terminated during the 12 months before the date on which the notice is given.
      1. A notice under subsection (1) may require the landlord to produce to the Tribunal or the chief executive, in the way specified in the notice, each tenancy agreement and any variations or renewals of it (or copies), and the Tribunal or the chief executive may—

      2. inspect and make records of any document that is produced; and
        1. take copies of the document or extracts from it.
          1. Every person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice under subsection (1) within 10 working days after receiving it commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,600.

          Notes
          • Section 133 heading: amended, on , by section 71(1) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
          • Section 133 heading: amended, on , pursuant to section 19 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 1992 (1992 No 79).
          • Section 133(1): replaced, on , by section 71(2) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
          • Section 133(1A): inserted, on , by section 41(1) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 26).
          • Section 133(1A): amended, on , by section 71(3) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
          • Section 133(2): amended, on , by section 71(4) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).
          • Section 133(2): amended, on , by section 41(2) of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 26).
          • Section 133(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).