The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. 

Changes to the Act have been introduced through the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 that was passed on 17 December 2024. 

 Tenancy Services is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). 

 The Tenancy Services website provides information on your rights and responsibilities as a landlord or tenant.

 IMPORTANT Tenancy Law Changes

 The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. 

Changes to the Act have been introduced through the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 that was passed on 17 December 2024. 

  The healthy homes standards introduce specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties. 

 With the healthy homes standards coming into effect for all rental properties from 1 July 2025, it is important to know your responsibilities as a landlord and your rights as a tenant.

 All landlords and tenants have responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

This section outlines the key responsibilities for both landlords and tenants. You can find out more about specific areas in the other sections on Tenancy Services website.

  A landlord can ask tenants to pay a bond when they move into a property.

The bond is money held by Tenancy Services that could cover: damage to the property, any claim(s) relating to the tenancy and unpaid rent.

Tenants who have looked after the house, paid rent in full, and paid any amounts owing should get a refund of their bond when the tenancy ends.