Your Rights and Obligations

The landlord MUST:

provide and maintain the house in a reasonable condition
allow the tenant quiet enjoyment of the house
pay rates, land tax, insurance etc
lodge any bond taken with the Bond Processing Centre, P.O. Box 50445, Porirua within 23 working days (Tel 0800 737 666)
give 60 days written notice of a rent increase
give 48 Hours notice of inspection
give 24 Hours notice of entry to repair.

pay the rent on time
keep the house reasonably clean and tidy
tell the landlord as soon as possible of any damage or repairs needed
although not necessary, giving notices in writing will protect the tenant if it's suggested later that the landlord was not informed
pay the electricity, gas, phone bills
allow the landlord reasonable access

ask for more than 2 weeks in advance or ask for more rent before any rent is paid is used up
inspect the Property more than once in 4 weeks
interfere with gas, water, or electricity supply
unreasonably withhold permission for a tenant to sublet or transfer the tenancy to someone else
unreasonably withhold permission for a tenant to attach any fixtures
change the locks without tenants' consent.

damage or permit damage to the house
disturb the neighbours or the landlord's other tenants
exceed any limit set by the landlord on the number of occupants in the house
make alterations to the house without the landlords written consent
sublet or transfer the tenancy to someone else without first getting the landlords written consent
change the locks without the landlords permission

the landlord or the tenant may give the other party a written notice outlining the breach and requiring that it be remedied within ten working days
if the breach is not remedied the injured party may apply to the tribunal for an order terminating the tenancy
both parties are protected against retaliatory acts. (for example � a tenant insisting on outstanding maintenance being attended to gives a Ten Day Notice to Remedy � the landlord gives 90 Days Notice to Terminate the tenancy)