Whenever the landlord changes, the bond record must be updated. The change is required even if the change in landlord is permanent or temporary.

Examples where there’s a change of landlord include:

• If the property management company has changed
• If the landlord is going overseas
• If the rental property has been sold.

The existing tenancy agreement will remain with the same terms and conditions. The tenant does not need to sign a new tenancy agreement.

You must complete the ‘change of landlord’ or ‘landlord/agent contact’ form. You must have both (previous and new) landlord’s signature in your relevant form.

Change of landlord form [PDF, 506 KB]

Landlord/agent contact form [PDF, 603 KB]

Find out below which form you need to complete based on the circumstances. The correct form needs to be signed and sent back to bonds@tenancy.govt.nz

If the property management company changes

If the property owner uses a property management organisation (PMO), the PMO are considered the landlord.

If the PMO changes, the current property manager must give the tenant written notice of the change. This notice must include:

• who is taking over as landlord
• the new landlord’s contact details
• when the new landlord takes over

This is a permanent landlord change. You need to complete a ‘change of landlord’ form and send it back to us.

The tenant must pay their rent to the new landlord from the date specified in the notice.

The new landlord must give the tenant the following information:

• their name and contact details
• their address for service
• details for paying the rent (for example, their new bank account number).

Address for service

This process also applies when the owner’s been managing the tenancy themselves and employs a property manager to take over during a tenancy.

If the landlord goes overseas

If the landlord is leaving New Zealand for more than 21 days in a row, they must appoint an agent before they leave. If they leave New Zealand for 21 days or less, they are not required to appoint an agent.

The agent must be someone in New Zealand who can manage the property while the landlord is away. It doesn’t have to be a PMO.

This is a temporary landlord change. You need to complete a ‘landlord/agent contact’ form and send it back to us.

The landlord must give the tenant the agent's name and contact details, and address for service.

If a landlord doesn’t appoint an agent or doesn’t give the tenant the agent’s details, this is an unlawful act. If this happens, the tenant can give the landlord a notice to remedy. This gives the landlord a deadline to appoint an agent or to provide the agent’s contact details.

Find out more information on notices to remedy on Breaches of the Act

If the property is sold

If the property is being sold with the existing tenants, the new owners will take over as the new landlord. Whether it’s a periodic tenancy or fixed-term tenancy, the terms and tenancy agreement will remain.

If the landlord decides on selling the property, the landlord must give written notice to the tenant as soon as practicable.

This is a permanent landlord change. You need to complete a ‘change of landlord’ form and send it back to us.

The current property owner/landlord can sell the property with a requirement for the property to be vacant if the buyer wants it vacant. Find out when and how much notice the landlord must give the tenants to end a periodic tenancy.

Find out more information on selling a rental property