Source: New Zealand Government
Landlords and tenants will be better off with effective regulation of residential property managers and organisations under a new Government-backed framework, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka says.
Under the proposed regime landlords and tenants will be able to check if a residential property manager and organisation is registered. There will be a clear pathway to raise complaints, so that property managers can be held accountable if something goes wrong.
“The changes are designed to improve consistency and accountability across the rental sector, while keeping compliance simple and practical.
“A well-functioning rental market depends on trust. Landlords need confidence their funds and assets are being managed properly, and tenants need to know they can rely on their residential property manager to act lawfully.”
The proposed regime will introduce a public register of residential property managers and organisations, alongside clear standards for financial management, conduct and training.
“I have heard concerns from across the sector about poor practices and mishandling of funds. These changes put in place the basic safeguards people expect, including stronger protections for client money and a clear way to raise complaints.”
The regime includes a dedicated Residential Property Managers Regulatory Authority and an independent Residential Property Managers Disciplinary Tribunal to support transparent, consistent handling of complaints.
The framework will:
- establish a registration system for residential property managers and organisations
- introduce minimum eligibility, training and experience requirements, that would be set out in secondary legislation
- set clear requirements for renewals, suspensions, expiries and cancellations of registration
- require all client funds to be held separately from business accounts, and
- create a formal complaints and disciplinary process
“Many in the sector support a light-touch model that lifts standards without overburdening the industry. This strikes that balance.”
Strengthening the performance of the rental sector is part of the Government’s wider focus on housing stability and economic growth.
“When the system works well, it delivers better outcomes for tenants, greater certainty for landlords, and a more stable housing market overall.”
Work is underway to progress these proposals into legislation, with further detail to be released in due course.
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/landlords-and-tenants-to-be-better-off-under-more-effective-regulation/