11 April 2024

The Government today announced that it is proposing to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act).

The proposed changes to the Act will:

  • reintroduce 90-day ‘no cause’ terminations for periodic tenancies, meaning landlords can end a periodic tenancy without requiring a specific reason
  • return 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 states 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
  • return tenants’ notice period for ending a periodic tenancy to 21 days, and
  • reintroduce landlords’ ability to give notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of the term without requiring a specific reason.

More information about the changes:

Proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986: Termination of tenancies(external link) — Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

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