Tenacy rights?
Sep 26th 2008, 2:25 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Posts: 234
Tenacy rights?
Hiya,
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Sep 26th 2008, 3:22 am
#2
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Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Was Torbay, NZ now North Yorkshire UK
Posts: 813
Re: Tenacy rights?
Hiya,
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Not sure on your rights. Possibly if the house was that filthy you should'nt have moved in.
These people have all the answers, give them a call and good luck!
www.dbh.govt.nz/tenants-index
Sep 26th 2008, 5:16 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Location: UK Devon
Posts: 914
Re: Tenacy rights?
Hiya,
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Visit that tenant's website or ring them. We never had any probs inl our rentals but as you have to have it professionally cleaned when you leave, it should be that it has to be professionally cleaned before you move in. Stands to reason doesn't it. Threaten the Agents that you are going to cancel the rent payments until it is sorted. They will soon ring you back!!
Sep 26th 2008, 5:49 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Top of the South
Posts: 348
Re: Tenacy rights?
Hiya,
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
Before I go marching off to the real-estate office, I thought I'd check here first as to the NZ rights / norms regarding house rentals.
We've moved into a rental property, and signed up for a 6 month agreement. As such have also filled in and signed an inventory - but have a few gripes, and real estate agents have not returned my call.
So .. am I right to complain about the following:
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
So .. what d'ya think? Agents have their money, and seem completely un-interested in us now .. is this just common occurance? My husband seems to think it's no point complaining, and to just live with it all, and say bye-bye to our bond.
TIA,
Lou
I am fortunate that I am not a tenant but you want to heart me 'go off' in a restaurant if the food/service is not satisfactory...
do not suffer bad service, it will eat away at you... get it off your chest, soon.
Sep 26th 2008, 5:50 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Top of the South
Posts: 348
Re: Tenacy rights?
Hi Lucy
Visit that tenant's website or ring them. We never had any probs inl our rentals but as you have to have it professionally cleaned when you leave, it should be that it has to be professionally cleaned before you move in. Stands to reason doesn't it. Threaten the Agents that you are going to cancel the rent payments until it is sorted. They will soon ring you back!!
Visit that tenant's website or ring them. We never had any probs inl our rentals but as you have to have it professionally cleaned when you leave, it should be that it has to be professionally cleaned before you move in. Stands to reason doesn't it. Threaten the Agents that you are going to cancel the rent payments until it is sorted. They will soon ring you back!!
Sep 26th 2008, 7:41 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: NZ
Posts: 3,366
Re: Tenacy rights?
Tenancy Servics are really helpful at DBH. We emailed them with a problem last year and got a response within 24 hours and a follow up too
Be careful with regards to withholding rent. It could work against you, as the Tenancy Act states that you may NOT withhold rent if repairs are not carried out.
As the OP suggests look at the website
Good Luck
Be careful with regards to withholding rent. It could work against you, as the Tenancy Act states that you may NOT withhold rent if repairs are not carried out.
As the OP suggests look at the website
Good Luck
Sep 27th 2008, 8:21 am
#7
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Cockle Bay, NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 1,007
Re: Tenacy rights?
If it was me I would take pictures of things you are not happy about and the things that havn't been done as evidence for you in the future..you never know what they will come up with when its time for you to move on,this will give you bargaining power...I know friends of our had a hard time with her landlord when it was time to move,they withheld her deposit..She ended up going to the tenants tribunal and won,aparantly they more often that not side with the tennants..But I would definitely complain in writing and send the pics to them too..keep a copy as this is all proof and as I've said can only help your case should anything crop up in the future...But hopefully things will settle down for you...gl...Jacky
Sep 27th 2008, 9:33 pm
#8
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: NZ - for now!
Posts: 827
Re: Tenacy rights?
[
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
Does the inventory OR contract mention extra set? Are there two names on the contract?
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
A property MUST be left in a reasonable, tidy manner when you vacate. A real estate agency CANNOT request it be professionally cleaned. If you make a REASONABLE attempt to clean it, but the agency feels its not good enough THEY need to make a claim to the bond agency for some of your bond. In that instance, I would take photos of the place when you leave.
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
You need to write a 10 DAY WORKING LETTER. Make sure its dated. Bullet point exactly what you need done. This is a legally recognised way to request work being done. If the agency do NOT respond within those 10 days, you can lodge this with tenancy services. You cannot do this BEFORE you've issued a 10 day working letter. A template for this letter can be downloaded from the tenancy advisory website, but you can you just compile your own.
I absolutely HATE to see good tenants being treated like second class citizens, its one of the reasons I left my job as a Property Manager. If you don't know your rights, or don't assert your rights, agencies will almost definitely take advantage of you. I understand your husband not wanting to make a complaint about this, but the reality is, you PAY rent and as its through an agency, you obviously paid a letting fee.
I would stick within the lines of the tenancy laws as opposed to 'complaints' or sorting things out verbally. Eveything should be documented and written requests made professionally. This covers your back and ensures that the tenancy tribunal will look more favourably on you should it come to that in the end. This country has a fantastic structure for tenancy rights, I would encourage everyone to utulise it and know their rights.
Good luck to you and I wish you a smooth ride in getting what you need done.
Lou[/QUOTE]
1) We still only have 1 key for the property,the owner was supposed to leave the full set when he'd completed the jobs prior to us moving in.
Does the inventory OR contract mention extra set? Are there two names on the contract?
2) house was filthy ... downstairs carpets on hoovering we collected 6 hoover bags!! Every surface was covered in thick layers of dust. In our contract is states we have to have the place profesionally cleaned .. can they still demand that, given the state the place was in when we moved in?
A property MUST be left in a reasonable, tidy manner when you vacate. A real estate agency CANNOT request it be professionally cleaned. If you make a REASONABLE attempt to clean it, but the agency feels its not good enough THEY need to make a claim to the bond agency for some of your bond. In that instance, I would take photos of the place when you leave.
3) A couple of minor promised jobs have not been completed .. not so fussed about these
4) Bare wire hanging from ceiling .. have no idea if these are live, and whilst not able to reach them, is a bug bear.
You need to write a 10 DAY WORKING LETTER. Make sure its dated. Bullet point exactly what you need done. This is a legally recognised way to request work being done. If the agency do NOT respond within those 10 days, you can lodge this with tenancy services. You cannot do this BEFORE you've issued a 10 day working letter. A template for this letter can be downloaded from the tenancy advisory website, but you can you just compile your own.
I absolutely HATE to see good tenants being treated like second class citizens, its one of the reasons I left my job as a Property Manager. If you don't know your rights, or don't assert your rights, agencies will almost definitely take advantage of you. I understand your husband not wanting to make a complaint about this, but the reality is, you PAY rent and as its through an agency, you obviously paid a letting fee.
I would stick within the lines of the tenancy laws as opposed to 'complaints' or sorting things out verbally. Eveything should be documented and written requests made professionally. This covers your back and ensures that the tenancy tribunal will look more favourably on you should it come to that in the end. This country has a fantastic structure for tenancy rights, I would encourage everyone to utulise it and know their rights.
Good luck to you and I wish you a smooth ride in getting what you need done.
Lou[/QUOTE]
