For general information on COVID-19, visit the government’s central website.(external link)

On 23 March 2020, the Government announced a freeze of rent increases and an extension of no-cause terminations. This has been applied as law through the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Amendment Act, which came into effect on 26 March 2020.

These measures will support New Zealanders to stay in their rental properties with a six-month freeze on residential rent increases and increased protection from having their tenancies terminated.

The key changes for landlords and tenants to be aware of are:

• There is a freeze on rent increases from 26 March – 25 September 2020, unless extended.
• A rent increase notice from a landlord will not have the effect of increasing a tenant’s rent, unless the rent increase has already taken effect.
• Tenancies will not be terminated between 26 March – 25 June 2020.

The timeframes for the new measures are:

• The measures took effect on 26 March 2020.
• The rent freeze applies for an initial period of six months (to 25 September 2020, unless extended).
• The protections against terminations applied for three months (to 25 June 2020).
• At the end of both initial periods, the Government will evaluate whether they need to be extended.

Importantly, where a tenant has symptoms of COVID-19, or is confirmed as positive, this is not grounds for a landlord to terminate a tenancy. Nor is a tenant required to notify their landlord if they test positive for COVID-19. However, we encourage tenants to advise the landlord if the landlord needs to attend the property while the tenant is self-isolating, for example, if the landlord needs to undertake urgent repairs at the property.

The Minister’s announcement on the Beehive website(external link)

For more tenancy-related information for landlords and tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development website:

COVID-19: Information for the housing and urban sectors(external link) — Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Edited 6 July 2020 with further details around dates.

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