1.4 What do tenants want?


What do tenants want?

Tenants today are far more aware of their rights. It is unacceptable that a tenant who requests a repair has to wait months on end to get anything done and unfortunately, this happens all too often.

Yet, as tenants become more aware of their rights through education, expect them to put more demands on landlords and Property Managers. If tenants feel as though their rights are being breached, it would be best to first talk to their landlord to see if they can resolve the issues. Only in extreme cases of negligence and intentional breaches would we recommend to a tenant that they exercise their rights through the Tenancy Tribunal. They should always try and resolve the issues first with the landlord.


1.3 The cost of being a landlord

Overview

Planning is an essential ingredient to the success of any business. Being a landlord is no different and some of the most common mistakes you will see in property investment is due to a lack of understanding. This does not just relate to knowledge around legislation, it also relates to financial planning and understanding the true cost of owning a rental property. 


1.2 Property Investment Jargon

Why do we need to know about Property Investment?

Whether you are a landlord or a property manager, you will need to have a basic understanding of how property investment works. This includes understanding some of the terminology used around property investment. 

If you are a landlord, you are in business and you need to be competent in understanding how the financial aspect of being an investor works. This will include but not be limited to the following.

  • Understanding the difference between net yield and gross yield
  • Understanding the costs involved in owning a rental property
  • The impact interest rate changes will have on the property
  • The importance of budgeting 

Likewise, for a property manager to understand the basic needs of a landlord, they too must understand how property investment works. If you have a basic understanding of certain aspects of property investment, you will be in a far better position to understand the requirements of your consumer and improve the level of service that you provide. 

Unfortunately, not many property managers and landlords understand and appreciate the importance of this.

Although landlords have a responsibility to provide compliant and safe accommodation for their tenants, they are not social workers and are not landlords for the good of the community.  It is about wealth creation whether it be through capital gains, a return on investment or both.

So without further ado, let's take a look at some of the key terminology that you are likely to come across.


1.1 What is a residential landlord?

What is a residential landlord?

A landlord is typically the owner of a property who rents it to an individual or a business. However, the landlord is not always the owner of the property. The keyword to describe a landlord is the grantor of the tenancy. The people who rent the property are called tenants. There are many reasons why people become landlords. Usually, people choose to be a landlord, mainly for the purpose of investment. The landlord owns the property and the tenant pays rent for the right to reside at the property. 

In the case of residential rental properties, private landlords are accommodation providers and provide a necessary service to New Zealand as many individuals and families rent.

A landlord can be described as follows:

Individual(s) or entity that provides accommodation for persons who cannot afford or do not want their own home. Those people will pay an agreed sum of money in the way of rent to the landlord. People who do this are known as tenants. When a tenant enters into an agreement with a landlord they are entering into a Tenancy Agreement. Rent will be stated clearly on the Tenancy Agreement and the tenant must pay rent either weekly or fortnightly, depending on what it says in the agreement.

Examples of a landlord are;  

  • ​Kainga Ora (formerly HNZ), owned and administered state housing
  • ​Mum and Dad investors with one rental property
  • A company set up by shareholders that own rental properties
  • An investor who is looking for a return on capital or capital appreciation


Lesson 1.4: What does the tenant want?

Begin this lesson by clicking the first topic and marking each as complete as you work your way through.

 


Lesson 1.3: The cost of being a landlord

Begin this lesson by clicking the first topic and marking each as complete as you work your way through.

 


Lesson 1.2: Property investment jargon

Begin this lesson by clicking the first topic and marking each as complete as you work your way through.

 


Lesson 1.1: What is a residential landlord?

Begin this lesson by clicking the first topic and marking each as complete at the bottom of the page as you work your way through.