apollo11 wrote:

Or the tenant could just leave the paint alone. No one is compelling them to change anything. I don't see why the landlord should supply a house so that the tenant can practice their diy skills, or lack there-of. And if the landlord is happy with what the tenant has paid to have done, then the 'return to original' part could be waived by agreement.

+1

loose.unit8 - 2021-02-12 13:15:00

A few years ago a friend looked at a flat and all walls were either totally red or orange ,the landlord said it couldnt be altered

androth2 - 2021-02-12 13:31:00

loose.unit8 wrote:

I think it will be a nightmare.

The differences of opinion of what is 'minor', people not understanding that they still have to ask, the responsibility to 'put it back'. It's a lot of additional risk to the landlord and the tiny amount of bond allowed to be charged which now has to also cover the potential of people not putting it back.

If it is painting, in my opinion not minor, just say no. Tenants can take a case to the Tenancy Tribunal, which hopefully will be inundated with applications as to what is minor (and also what is reasonable in other contexts). Both terms are in the new rules with few or no definitions. Just Tenancy Services making up opinions. The TT - which is a civil court - also has to make decisions on a bunch of other tenancy issues. Great use of their time deciding on whether for example painting a wall is minor or not.

In practice tenants are not going to get too bolshie about being declined doing changes because landlords still have a serious card or two up their sleeves.

Keep raising the rent as often and as much as possible (12 monthly, not substantially more than market rent). If tenants can't pay, they move on, after giving correct notice of course, or risk being terminated for non or late payment. And carry out detailed inspections with issues and damage documented and notices to fix issued. Even if 'minor'. If not fixed, landlord asks the TT to approve quotes for the work to be done and tenants charged.

There might not be marching in the streets by landlords but we can be very sure they will be looking to recover their costs from tenants. Most of whom are very good of course. Tenants who feel hard done by - likely justifiably so - can contact government ministers and vent.

artemis - 2021-02-12 13:46:00

androth2 wrote:

A few years ago a friend looked at a flat and all walls were either totally red or orange ,the landlord said it couldnt be altered

More likely *wouldn't* be altered. Big expensive job covering dark and bright colours. Fortunately your friend was not forced to take the flat.

artemis - 2021-02-12 13:49:00

apollo11 wrote:

Or the tenant could just leave the paint alone. No one is compelling them to change anything. I don't see why the landlord should supply a house so that the tenant can practice their diy skills, or lack there-of. And if the landlord is happy with what the tenant has paid to have done, then the 'return to original' part could be waived by agreement.

I agree that painting isn't a minor job but was just commenting on what was really a stupid comment since the first part said it would need to be done professionally then that it would need to be put back to original condition which may have had a lot of wear and tear.

coolnzmum - 2021-02-12 14:12:00

This message was deleted.

apollo11 - 2021-02-12 15:41:00

coolnzmum wrote:

I agree that painting isn't a minor job but was just commenting on what was really a stupid comment since the first part said it would need to be done professionally then that it would need to be put back to original condition which may have had a lot of wear and tear.

How do you suggest someone puts it back the way it was, complete with wear and tear?

loose.unit8 - 2021-02-12 15:51:00

loose.unit8 wrote:

How do you suggest someone puts it back the way it was, complete with wear and tear?

Have an awesome leaving party.

sparkychap - 2021-02-12 17:12:00

Neighbour asked the LL to install a bathroom heater a year ago, one she had bought. LL said yes - if she coughed up $850 in advance.

Just as well she waited...

oh_hunnihunni - 2021-02-12 17:15:00

Commerical rentals are pretty much like this; you can fit out space like our office building anyway you want, but have the obligation to return the building back to 'as was' empty shell once the lease is up.

Always struck me as pretty wasteful when I saw full fitouts including decent carpet and cabling all ripped out for the next people to come and have to put it back.

We have always got on well with our tenants and have worked with them so if they wanted to make changes to make the place better then we tended to help. Have ended up with tenants that have stayed and the places well looked after

gblack - 2021-02-12 18:17:00

Ok how does the new change the rental properties within a group of rentals and owners live but all must answer to a corporate Body? And was interested to read somewhere today that a landlord can't raise rents in a break lease?? Is this so please? And before some ask my landlord has 4 days left to do things required by Law to my rental the list had 4 items to be dealt with has done 2 and not replied regarding the main items. A rental inspection due approx. 3 weeks after his 14 day next inspection is due. Just wondering if new rules have a blanket cover no matter if rental comes under body cooperate rules Thanks

anne1955 - 2021-02-12 19:27:00

sparkychap wrote:

Have an awesome leaving party.

Lol fair call

loose.unit8 - 2021-02-12 19:54:00

androth2 wrote:

A few years ago a friend looked at a flat and all walls were either totally red or orange ,the landlord said it couldnt be altered

Good point - everyone is getting excited about the potential for tenants to do rubbish paint jobs with ugly colours, but I've seen plenty of landlords with manky, dated decor. It is the tenant who has to live with it every day, so there should be a reasonable opportunity for them to improve the property to a standard that benefits both parties.

pasadena1 - 2021-02-12 20:05:00

pasadena1 wrote:

Good point - everyone is getting excited about the potential for tenants to do rubbish paint jobs with ugly colours, but I've seen plenty of landlords with manky, dated decor. It is the tenant who has to live with it every day, so there should be a reasonable opportunity for them to improve the property to a standard that benefits both parties.

They don't own it.

They choose to live there.

"Improve" is in the eye of the beholder and very much a matter of opinion.

No problem with the tenant offering but the landlord should always have the full and final say.

Edited by loose.unit8 at 8:42 pm, Fri 12 Feb

loose.unit8 - 2021-02-12 20:41:00

pasadena1 wrote:

Good point - everyone is getting excited about the potential for tenants to do rubbish paint jobs with ugly colours, but I've seen plenty of landlords with manky, dated decor. It is the tenant who has to live with it every day, so there should be a reasonable opportunity for them to improve the property to a standard that benefits both parties.

You get what you pay for (comparatively) Some of the hovels I lived in as a student wouldn't have been saved by a coat of paint- but they were cheap. The government's legislation has ensured that all of the (cheap) hovels are now off the market.

apollo11 - 2021-02-12 21:21:00

And imagine how crappy it would be to have spent time and effort jazzing up your rental only to STILL have it sold from underneath you.

apollo11 - 2021-02-12 21:22:00

And tenant that can afford paint deserves a rent increase.

sparkychap - 2021-02-12 21:28:00

sparkychap wrote:

And tenant that can afford paint deserves a rent increase.

You really have to, because once the rental has been tarted up it will command a higher rent.

apollo11 - 2021-02-12 21:31:00

pcle wrote:

The rules are insane. The aim is to further destroy the private market and force more onto Government dependancy. If only there was an opposition party...

and continue dumming us down to keep wages low and jusifty bringing more
people here and compounding the problem further

catbrat - 2021-03-04 09:23:00

catbrat wrote:

and continue dumming us down to keep wages low and jusifty bringing more people here and compounding the problem further

"...dumming" "...jusifty"

I see what you did there...

mcnic - 2021-03-07 14:46:00

My first tenant in 2000 added to my 10m2 cottage and doubled its size. The next tenant in 2013 doubled it again, and now I see the current tenant has made it bigger again, and added a garage..... I get good tenants because I charge just $80pw, and they appreciate and recognise a good deal. Im currently clearing another section to build another 10m2 cottage.......

mannix51 - 2021-03-07 15:05:00

This message was deleted.

roysmrs - 2021-03-19 13:36:00

Just another insane law making it too difficult to rent out property. Hope the tenants enjoy their high rents.

pcle - 2021-03-19 14:41:00

marte wrote:

It wouldn't a)ways be necessary to return it to original, there's a option to change something & then leave it like that. Cat door for example.
Flatscreen tv stand on a wall.
Tv serial cable & sockets.
Picture rail to hang pictures from.
Insect screens, towel rails, hand rails, garden tool rack in garage, etc etc.

I would take exception to a cat door being inserted

deboron - 2021-03-22 09:35:00

pasadena1 wrote:

Good point - everyone is getting excited about the potential for tenants to do rubbish paint jobs with ugly colours, but I've seen plenty of landlords with manky, dated decor. It is the tenant who has to live with it every day, so there should be a reasonable opportunity for them to improve the property to a standard that benefits both parties.

I don't have a problem with tenants painting but expect them to remediate to the original colour before leaving if requested

deboron - 2021-03-22 09:38:00

lythande1 wrote:

It's common overseas....in fact in Germany people take kitchens with them...weird. Maybe they're all standard sizes and shapes? Can't see how that would work here.

If there are rules I'd say yes, as in done to a professional standard and no crazy decor colours/styles....

The problem is who decides what is a professional level and what are acceptable decor / colours ?? Or what is an acceptable repair. The tenancy tribunal ?? And how do you get the money out of the tenants who have moved on because the bond probably be enough to cover all the issues.
You would think the govt would simplify the system this will magnify tribunal complaints 3 fold or more .
The likely response from landlords and property managers will be to raise rents to cover the increased costs. There you go problem solved.

Edited by scuba at 1:48 pm, Mon 22 Mar

scuba - 2021-03-22 13:41:00

Maximum bond allowable should increase to cover the extra risk as well.

loose.unit8 - 2021-03-22 14:53:00

The word minor changes is such a grey area. Coupled with the wording the landlord can't refuse.

Had to be prudent and give a tenant notice to vacate because of this new law.
They had already made previous changes to chattels and the thought of the potential changes with this law on the tenant side was too much to bare.
So many breaches in 90 days by a tenant or if you have to sell is the only reason these days you can ask a tenant to leave to my knowledge.
Notice to vacate was given before the new law changes re asking a tenant to vacate came in.

Was not willing to take the risk and arrive at the property one day to see a conservatory erected with a spa pool out onto the driveway. Missing walls etc.

This tenant now has to find a new home, and is looking at having to pay $60 more a week thanks largely to labour's other new law of rents can only be raised once a year. (rents gone up $60 a week on average for a 2 bedroom in Christchurch) Well done labour for tenants Not. Us landlords still smiling, never mess with the folk the hold the trump cards!

doglover2003 - 2021-03-23 16:00:00

I'd rather have the rent tolling in. It is not hard to get an agreement in writing that covers how and when changes are made by them i.e. consultation

deboron - 2021-03-28 08:16:00