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Property Management
David Faulkner
Fake Reviews make Real News!

The New Year has started were the old one finished off. Property Management companies in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. This time the Te Aro branch of Quinovic is back in the news following revelations that many of the reviews online are fake. Stuff.co.nz journalist Dileepa Fonseka released the story on the 20th January and many individuals working for Quinovic franchises up and down the country must have thought ‘not again!’ when it appeared. This branch seems to be doing their best to commit commercial Hari-kari following their terrible faux-pas with the now infamous ‘Your Tenants may hate but you will love us’ advertising campaign. Unfortunately, it looks like they have failed to learn their lesson.

Fake Reviews make Real News!
Property Management
David Faulkner
2018 The good the bad and the ugly

Where to start? I had the same problem this time last year when I did the same article. 2017 seems like a distant memory now as over the last 12 months, our industry has had everything thrown at it including a bucket of KFC!

In my time working within the Property Management industry and in particular the rental sector, I cannot think of a time when we have had so much upheaval. Saying that it has been a challenge is an understatement. We have a lot to look at so let’s not waste any more time. As ever, we would love your feedback along with your high’s and low’s of the year.

2018 The good the bad and the ugly
Legislation
David Faulkner
Rising rents on the horizon as Government ...

Last week, one of Wellington’s largest Property Management companies made the headlines for suggesting to landlords that they increase rents by $6 a week to recover the cost of the letting fee as they are forced into on charging it to the landlord. Many criticised Oxygen Property Management for taking such an approach however in our opinion, they were simply doing their job.

To expect a company not to try and recoup losses that their clients may face due to landlords absorbing the letting fee is utterly naive and delusional. If you believe that a landlord is not going to try and recover the costs from tenants then you are simply in denial or have no understanding about how business works.

Rising rents on the horizon as Government policy kicks in
Legislation
David Faulkner
Fixed on change. Why tenancy reform will ...

Almost twelve months on from the formation of the Government, the changes around tenancy reform in New Zealand are coming thick and fast. Make no mistake, change is coming and particularly around the security of tenure. A case I dealt with recently highlights why tenants need more security.

Last week I received a call from a Property Manager last week asking for some guidance. The situation arose after a tenant was given 90 days notice to end the tenancy.

Let me explain the scenario for you that many of you reading this will probably relate to this story.

Fixed on change. Why tenancy reform will benefit New Zealand
Legislation, Property Management
David Faulkner
Church Preaches 'Game Changer' As Calls For ...

Never before has our industry come under such intense scrutiny as it has right now. Whether it be tenant groups, politicians, the media or the oppressive Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team, everyone wants to attack Property Managers. In fairness, we seem to be giving them plenty of ammunition and the latest faux pas by a Wellington-based Property Management company was embarrassingly distasteful. One wonders what they must have been thinking? 

With all the negative publicity and an increasingly vocal call from all parties to regulate our industry, it is now a case of when the regulation of our industry will happen rather than if.

Church Preaches 'Game Changer' As Calls For Regulation Intensify

Legislation

Rising rents on the horizon as Government policy kicks in

Rising rents on the horizon as Government policy kicks in

Last week, one of Wellington’s largest Property Management companies made the headlines for suggesting to landlords that they increase rents by $6 a week to recover the cost of the letting fee as they are forced into on charging it to the landlord. Many criticised Oxygen Property Management for taking such an approach however in our opinion, they were simply doing their job.

To expect a company not to try and recoup losses that their clients may face due to landlords absorbing the letting fee is utterly naive and delusional. If you believe that a landlord is not going to try and recover the costs from tenants then you are simply in denial or have no understanding about how business works.

The Real-iQ Recommendations For RTA Reform

The Real-iQ Recommendations For RTA Reform

Back In February 2018, the much anticipated Housing Stocktake of New Zealand was publish. This report which was commissioned by Housing Minister Phil Twyford back in November 2017 painted a sorry picture of the housing situation in New Zealand and in particular, for renters. The report was written by Alan Johnson of the Salvation Army. Philippa Howden-Chapman of Rental Warrant of Fitness fame, and Generation Rent author Shamubeel Euqab. The report is fascinating reading with many recommendations that we are now seeing in front of us through the Tenancy Reform Discussion document. Hopefully, you got a chance to make a submission.

Fixed on change. Why tenancy reform will benefit New Zealand

Fixed on change. Why tenancy reform will benefit New Zealand

Almost twelve months on from the formation of the Government, the changes around tenancy reform in New Zealand are coming thick and fast. Make no mistake, change is coming and particularly around the security of tenure. A case I dealt with recently highlights why tenants need more security.

Last week I received a call from a Property Manager last week asking for some guidance. The situation arose after a tenant was given 90 days notice to end the tenancy.

Let me explain the scenario for you that many of you reading this will probably relate to this story.

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Church Preaches 'Game Changer' As Calls For Regulation Intensify

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Church Preaches 'Game Changer' As Calls For Regulation Intensify

Never before has our industry come under such intense scrutiny as it has right now. Whether it be tenant groups, politicians, the media or the oppressive Tenancy Compliance and Investigation Team, everyone wants to attack Property Managers. In fairness, we seem to be giving them plenty of ammunition and the latest faux pas by a Wellington-based Property Management company was embarrassingly distasteful. One wonders what they must have been thinking? 

With all the negative publicity and an increasingly vocal call from all parties to regulate our industry, it is now a case of when the regulation of our industry will happen rather than if.

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The Broken Dreams of Renters United

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The Broken Dreams of Renters United

On Wednesday the 11th of July, Renters United launched their 'Plan to Fix Renting' and it grabbed plenty of media attention. This small group of volunteers have certainly been successful in drawing plenty of attention to themselves and whether you are a tenant or a landlord, you have to hand it to them they are extremely well run and have some prominent public figures backing their cause.

At the launch, they had Philippa Howden-Chapman of Rental Warrant of Fitness fame presenting and supporting them. They also had Sam Huggard of New Zealand Council of Trade Union presenting and Labour MP for Rongotai Paul Eagle was present as well. 

Busted!! The Rise and Fall of The Methamphetamine Industry

Busted!! The Rise and Fall of The Methamphetamine Industry

In August 2014 two-year-old Emma Lita-Bourne died after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The story made the news the following winter after a coroner reported that the condition of the property had contributed to the little girl’s death. The property was contaminated and it wasn’t methamphetamine.

Instead, dampness and mould had played a significant contributing factor into the death of young Emma according to the coroner. It was a story that highlighted the sorry state of many rental properties around New Zealand and in particular, Housing New Zealand.

18 Degrees Celsius. Putting The Heat On Landlords

18 Degrees Celsius. Putting The Heat On Landlords

As winter approaches, few will dispute that the majority of rental property in New Zealand is not good enough. Thousands of tenants up and down the country live in cold, damp property that makes a mockery of our global clean green image.

Late last year a bill was passed through Parliament that will literally change the face the housing in New Zealand forever, yet many people are unaware as to the true impact of this legislation and the cost of compliance.

Let It Be: How To Cope With The Letting Fee Ban

Let It Be: How To Cope With The Letting Fee Ban

  • We explore the best options for dealing with the Letting Fee ban

  • Labour signal that there will be radical changes to the Residential Tenancies Act

We have been warning you now for nearly two years that this was coming and now the day of reckoning is nearly upon us. The new Residential Tenancies (Prohibiting Letting Fees) Amendment Bill is now at the Select Committee stage with public submissions on the bill open until the 23rd May. Expect this to be law by Christmas with a further three months before the fee is banned completely.

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Unforeseen Consequences of a Utopian Vision

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Unforeseen Consequences of a Utopian Vision

Rent roll values could fall as Labour policies bite

Industry survey shows concern around new Government

Imagine a country were nobody is homeless. Imagine a country where nobody has any social issues such as drug addiction or alcohol abuse. Imagine a country where every kid goes to school with shoes on their feet after eating a breakfast and then come home to a loving family where they get a warm healthy meal every evening.

Is 2018 The Year The Meth Myth Finally Gets Busted?

Is 2018 The Year The Meth Myth Finally Gets Busted?

At last! Someone with power and influence has the guts to come out say what we have been arguing for a long, long time. The 'moral panic' caused by certain Meth testing companies was instigated to make a quick dollar according to new Housing Minister Phil Twyford. Here at Real iQ, we wholeheartedly agree.

Back in early 2016, we held a webinar highlighting the alarming amount of companies being set up to carry out Meth testing, warning that the industry was nothing more than a money making scam.

Rental Warrant of Flopness

Rental Warrant of Flopness

First of all, let me start by stating that this is not an article beating up the people who have designed and implemented the Rental Warrant of Fitness. The intentions of these people are good and they are thinking of the most vulnerable of citizens within New Zealand. I also genuinely applaud the Wellington City Council for trying to get this off the ground. 

Tenancy Tribunal Wrecking Ball Decision Smashes Unsuspecting Landlord

Tenancy Tribunal Wrecking Ball Decision Smashes Unsuspecting Landlord

Decision by adjudicator leaves landlord $10,000 out of pocket

Tenant wins even though she sublet without consent

How many illegal tenancies are there?

On the 27th April 2017 at the Tenancy Tribunal in Dunedin, adjudicator Wilson made a ruling on a case that has sent alarm bells ringing and many think the ruling was grossly unfair.

Lets Ban This! The Letting Fee Gone If Labour Win

Lets Ban This! The Letting Fee Gone If Labour Win

Who would have thought six weeks ago that we were facing the prospect of a change of government?

Lifeless Labour were limping to an election defeat with its worst poll rating in modern history and prospect of a Labour lead government seemed like a huge improbability. Then all of a sudden, Andrew Little resigns and Jacindamania was born

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New Meth Standards Will Solve Nothing Until Practice Notes Issued

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New Meth Standards Will Solve Nothing Until Practice Notes Issued

Late last month the eagerly anticipated new standards around Methamphetamine contamination where released. This has come after a lengthy process which also involved a large amount of public submissions. Clearly, there is plenty of emotion that is involved around this hugely controversial topic. This was evident during the recent REINZ Seminar involving members of the panel that helped introduce the new standards. Included in the panel where Lisa Gerrard (REINZ), Darryl Thompson (Auckland Council), Miles Stratford (Meth Solutions) and lawyer Richard Hern.

Asbestos & Property Management.

Asbestos & Property Management.
  • Asbestos law changes the next big challenge for the Property Management industry
  • Responsibility for compliance may result in increase costs for landlords

New changes in the Health and Safety at work with regards to Asbestos could become the next big challenge that the Property Management industry needs to tackle.

Recently, Real iQ attended a REINZ Breakfast in Wellington where the keynote speaker addressed a room of Property Managers about pending law changes that will likely lead to more compliance being thrown on an industry already struggling to cope with changes to Health and Safety and the Residential Tenancies Act.

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Government announcement around changes to Residential Tenancies Act:

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Government announcement around changes to Residential Tenancies Act:

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No. 2) introduced to Parliament today will provide better protections and clarity for tenants and landlords, Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

“This Bill makes three practical changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to help ensure our tenancy laws better manage methamphetamine contamination, liability for careless damage and the tenancy of unsuitable properties. It builds on the changes we made last year requiring smoke alarms and insulation, and establishing a Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team.

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