Housing Minister Chris Bishop expected the measures to increase the supply of rentals. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A suite of changes to tenancy laws outlined in the National-ACT coalition agreement will come into force early next year, the government says.
It will bring back 90-day 'no-cause' terminations for periodic tenancies, meaning landlords can end those tenancies without a specific reason.
Other changes include allowing landlords to give tenants less notice if they want to move themselves or family into the property.
The government will introduce a bill to Parliament in May, with the measures expected to come into effect in early 2025.
They include :
- Reintroducing 90-day 'no cause' terminations for periodic tenancies, meaning landlords can end a periodic tenancy without requiring a specific reason.
- Returning landlords' notice periods for ending a periodic tenancy to 42 days where:
- they want to move themselves or a family member into the property, or
- the tenancy agreement notes the property is usually used to house employees, and they want to move an employee into the property, or
- where the property is subject to an unconditional agreement for sale requiring vacant possession.
- Returning tenants' notice period for ending a periodic tenancy to 21 days.
- Reintroducing landlords' ability to give notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of the term without requiring a specific reason.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop said the changes would make it easier for "Mum and Dad landlords" to have get into the rental market, boost supply and put downward pressure on rents.
"We've heard from many landlords that, without the backstop of 90-day 'no cause' terminations, they were unwilling to take a chance on a tenant who may, for example, not have perfect references or a steady 9-5 job."
Renters United spokesperson Ashok Jacob has described National's policy "depressingly predictable".He told RNZ's Midday Report current regulations were there to stop bad landlords behaving badly.
"If you actually look at the reasons people can be evicted under the current regulatory scheme, I think it's very reasonable. You can evict somebody for not paying rent, or antisocial behaviour.
"I don't know if there are any more reasons that you should be allowed to evict somebody and I think National are actually saying we should trust landlords to act with impunity when it comes to people's livelihoods and their homes."
