BLOGS

Many landlords in New Zealand assume their insurance will cover everything, but even a small mistake in your tenancy process can lead to a declined claim. In this post, we break down what landlord insurance actually covers, the common traps that DIY landlords fall into, and how to protect yourself from declined claims, high excesses, and lost rent. Learn how proper documentation, inspections, and compliance can save you thousands and ensure you're covered when things go wrong

When a DIY landlord’s rental management went off-track, we stepped in to fix the issues — from missing inspections to a messy rent ledger. This post details how we stabilised the tenancy, restored order, and brought everything back into compliance.

A weak property manager is more costly than a bad tenant. The secret to hiring a great one is asking strategic questions that reveal their system and capacity, such as their PM-to-property ratio (ideally capped under 150), their immediate Day 7 arrears process, the quality of their tenant screening (which affects insurance), and their support structure. Focus on these operational details—not just fees—to ensure asset protection and professional service.

The biggest mistake a landlord can make when rent stops is waiting. Protection depends on speed and meticulous documentation. Professional management uses an accelerated timeline: issuing the 14-day notice and preparing the Tribunal application immediately, then filing by Day 7. This ensures compliance and secures the position for fast-track termination and financial recovery.

The rental market in 2026 will be defined by disruption, primarily due to tightening compliance, rising insurance costs, and the new pet rules. Landlords must shift from a "set-and-forget" mentality to becoming "Professional Landlords" focused on robust documentation and compliance, while tenants will benefit from more choice but face new rules regarding pets and evidence requests.

A successful rental portfolio should buy back your time, not become a second job. Smart landlords use the Build → Scale → Exit Framework to achieve financial freedom. This involves acquiring cashflow-positive properties, strategically scaling with leverage and value-add improvements, and eventually paying off debt to create a high-income, debt-free portfolio. Freedom in property investing is achieved through a designed, consistent system.

The biggest mistake new landlords make is self-managing to save money, leading to costly errors like ignoring rent increases, conducting poor entry inspections, and failing to screen for "professional tenants." To prevent this, you must treat your rental as a regulated business by implementing professional systems and maintaining emotional distance from the tenancy.

A great property manager ensures a rental property runs smoothly by performing dozens of essential, "invisible" tasks behind the scenes—from daily rent monitoring and proactive maintenance coordination to rigorous compliance tracking and legal documentation. The true value lies not in rent collection, but in the preventative work that protects the investment, prevents costly issues, and minimizes landlord stress.

Nearly every tenant dispute is preventable with the right systems and documentation. This article details the top five common disputes in New Zealand—including issues with lawns, maintenance, access, cleaning, and rent arrears—explaining how strong evidence and RTA-compliant processes are used to solve them and prevent them from starting.

Owning a rental property is often fantasized about as "passive income," but the reality involves active intelligence, unexpected maintenance, and ongoing management. This article debunks the myths, stressing that property investment is a business that requires systems, clear expectations, and patience to achieve long-term financial freedom in New Zealand.

It sounds like a small detail: who pays the water bill? But on rural properties, it’s not always obvious. There are no Watercare...

Imagine arriving at an inspection to find a massive TV affixed firmly to the wall—no permission sought, no holes left unrepaired, and...

Managing a rural rental property comes with its own quirks—especially when there’s no council wastewater system. That’s where septic...

You check your account and the rent hasn’t come in. You wait a day, then another. Still nothing. Now what? Rent arrears are one of the...

You walk into your rental after a tenant moves out. The fridge is wiped, but the oven’s greasy. The carpets look okay… but there’s a...

It started with a well-meaning landlord who just wanted to make sure the property was being looked after. He’d stop by on weekends to mow...

Story Hook: A landlord recently asked us: “Can I charge an extra pet bond? I’ve had dogs ruin carpets, and I want to protect my...

Picture this: A tenant calls with concern: “We’ve tried everything—open windows, extractors, wiping down, but the mould keeps coming...

A tenant moves out. You send in a cleaner—and they notice a strange chemical smell in the garage. You test the property for meth, and the...

Picture this: You arrive at a rental after the tenancy ends. The lawns are mowed—but in every corner of the garden, there are giant heaps...