Renting
Tenants, landlords and flatmates have different rights and responsibilities when renting a home or boarding house room.
Information for landlords, tenants and flatmates
Find out everything you need to know — from rights and responsibilities to bonds and bills.
Tenancy Services
Starting a tenancy
Find out about the rights and responsibilities of tenants, landlords or flatmates and what can and cannot be included in tenancy agreements.
Starting a tenancy — Tenancy Services
Rent, bonds and bills
Find out about rental prices in your area, rent, bond and other expenses that landlords and tenants need to pay, such as water charges. There are some fees landlords cannot charge for such as letting fees and key money.
Rent, bond and bills — Tenancy Services
Healthy home standards
The healthy homes standards are specific and minimum legal standards for rental properties. The standards cover:
heating
insulation
ventilation
moisture and drainage
draught stopping.
Rental properties and healthy homes standards
Maintenance and inspections
Both tenants and landlords have responsibilities for keeping the property in a reasonable state of repair.
Find out about issues including:
mould and dampness
heating, insulation and ventilation
locks, security and access
pests and infestations
noise control, laws and bylaws.
Maintenance and inspections — Tenancy Services
Ending a tenancy
Both landlords and tenants have responsibilities when ending or changing tenancy. Find out about giving notice and changes in landlords or tenants, including subletting.
Ending a tenancy — Tenancy Services
Disputes
When a tenant or landlord breaches the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 , it’s important to understand how it can be resolved. The Tenancy Tribunal can help you if you have an issue with a tenant or landlord that you can’t solve yourself. Find out about the dispute process and types of mediation and resolution.
Disputes — Tenancy Services
Tenancy Service does not deal with issues between flatmates.
Find other support
Forms and resources
Search through a wide range of resources — online tools, templates, forms, agreements, fact sheets and videos.
Resources include:
bond lodgement or refund forms
types of rental agreements
notice templates
application or complaint tools.
Forms and resources — Tenancy Services
Renting and having a baby
Find out about your rights and obligations if you’re renting and going to have a baby.
While you’re pregnant: if you’re renting
Find other support
For support or advice outside what Tenancy Services provides, contact these organisations.
Find out your rights or make a complaint.
Free legal help for eligible people.
Our law centres — Community Law
Settle disputes outside of court, for example between flatmates.
What the Tribunal can help with: Disputes Tribunal of New Zealand — Ministry of Justice
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.
Utility links and page information
