Common Landlording Issues and How to Solve them

In this episode of the Property Apprentice Podcast, Debbie Roberts breaks down the top challenges that landlords face in New Zealand—and, more importantly, how to solve them.

Whether you're a first-time landlord or a seasoned property investor, this episode is packed with practical tips and expert advice to help you:

•  Prevent rent arrears and late payments
• Choose the right tenants using background, credit, and tribunal checks
• Maintain your property with regular inspections
• Navigate meth testing, privacy laws, and Healthy Homes standards
• Understand your legal obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act
• Set the right rent and budget for vacancies
• Decide whether you need a property manager—and how to find a good one

With the Healthy Homes compliance deadline fast approaching (July 1), it’s more important than ever to get things right. Avoid costly mistakes and tribunal disputes with these proven strategies that every NZ landlord should know.

 Relevant for Kiwi property owners, investors, and aspiring landlords looking to build long-term wealth through smart property management.

Watch now or listen on your favourite podcast platform. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with fellow landlords or first-home buyers.

Resources mentioned:
How to Choose a Good Property Manager https://youtu.be/s1O40B79eS0?feature=shared
Tenancy Tribunal Orders Database: https://tenancytribunal.govt.nz
Tenancy Services: https://tenancy.govt.nz
NZPIF Landlord Education Program: https://www.nzpif.org.nz

Transcript

 Welcome back to the Property Apprentice Podcast. I'm your host, Debbie Roberts, and today we are diving into some of the most common challenges landlords face, and more importantly, how to solve them. Whether you're a first time landlord or you've been in the game for years, you've probably run into at least one of these issues.

The good news, with the right strategies, they're all manageable. Let's start with one of the biggest headaches for landlords. Rent arrears late or missed rent payments can put you in a tough financial spot, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk. First, it starts with good tenant selection.

Make sure you're thoroughly checking a potential tenant's rental history, employment income, and credit check before signing the lease. One way to do this is to use a comprehensive application form that collects information about a tenant's ability to meet financial and tenancy obligations while also making sure that you don't collect unnecessary information that can put you in trouble with anti-discrimination or privacy laws.

A credit check can help you to see if an application has a history of unpaid debts, defaults or bankruptcies. You can use agencies like Centric and Equifax. You may also check the Tenancy Tribunal Orders database to see if they've been involved in tenancy disputes. Communication's key. Advertising your rental property clearly can remove gray areas that can lead to problems such as the property features, tenancy terms, and any rules you have such as pet policies and smoking.

This will encourage applicants who are a good fit to apply from the beginning. Be upfront about your expectations around rent, payments, and the consequences of late payments. And if a tenant does fall behind, don't wait. Address it immediately. A proactive approach can stop a small issue from turning into a major problem.

I also recommend that you let the tenants know that you will be testing for methamphetamine between tendencies. Um, just that sets the expectation levels there and keeps you safe a little bit safer. Another common challenge is property maintenance and repairs. Tenants expect and deserve a well-maintained home, and as a landlord, it's your responsibility to keep on top of it.

One of the best ways to do this is by scheduling regular inspections. This way you can catch small issues before they become costly repairs. Also, encourage your tenants to report maintenance problems as soon as they arise, and when they do, make sure you act quickly. The longer you wait, the worse and more expensive the problem can become.

On the subject of regular inspections, it might actually be a requirement for your insurance cover. So make sure, make sure you check your terms and conditions. Next, let's talk about tenant relations and access to the property. Maintaining a professional yet friendly relationship with your tenants is important, but sometimes issues arise like tenants refusing access for inspections or repairs.

To avoid this, make sure your lease agreement clearly states when and how you're allowed to enter the property. And of course, always follow the legal requirements for giving notice. Setting boundaries from the beginning can help prevent misunderstandings down the track. Now, a big one for landlords understanding legal obligations.

The laws around tenancy can be complex, and they're constantly changing at the moment, so it's crucial to stay informed, whether it's bond rules, notice periods, or your responsibilities around healthy homes. Deadline is. The 1st of July, if you're not already meeting Healthy Homes requirements, you need to get your act together.

Otherwise, you uh. Breaking the law. Know your rights and obligations. That can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. If you're ever unsure, seek advice from property management professionals or check out the official Tenancy Services website. That's tenancy.govt.nz for guidance. Join a local property investors association because that's helpful to keep you up to date with changes.

And they also advocate for your rights, especially on issues that directly affect you as a landlord. And this also gives you free access to rent skills than N-Z-P-I-F Landlord Education Program. That's New Zealand Property Investors Federation. Another key to successful Landlording is setting the right rent charge too much, and you'll struggle to find good tenants and might even leave yourself open to being taken to the Tenancy.

Tribunal charge too little and you're leaving money on the table. The best approach is to research the market and compare your property to other similar rentals in your area. It's also a good idea to review your rent annually, to keep up with market trends while still offering good value for tenants. I.

Of course, being a landlord isn't just about collecting rent. You also need to budget for expenses and vacancies. Between tenancies rates, insurance maintenance, and even periods without tenants. All need to be factored into your financial plan. A smart landlord always has a financial cushion to cover unexpected costs so that you're less likely to be caught off guard if something needs fixing or the property sits empty for a few weeks.

If all of this sounds like a lot to manage, you might wanna consider hiring a property manager. A good property manager can handle everything from tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance, making your life a whole lot easier. I. While it is an added cost, it's a small percentage of the weekly rent, and it can actually save you money in the long run by preventing costly mistakes and ensuring your property's well looked after.

If you don't know where to start, when it comes for looking for a good property management company. I've made a video on this topic previously. To help you get started. We'll have the link posted on the description of this video. It's called Understanding Mortgage Refinancing Benefits, risks, and Steps to Get Started.

At the end of the day, being a landlord comes with its fair share of challenges, but with the right approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding. By staying informed, being proactive, and possibly enlisting professional help, you can make the experience much smoother and more fulfilling for both yourself and your tenants.

So that's it for today's bonus episode. Thanks for tuning into the Property Apprentice Podcast. If you found this helpful, don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss another episode. And please feel free to share it with any other of your friends or family members that you think might be interested.

I'll see you next time.  Welcome back to the Property Apprentice Podcast. I'm your host, Debbie Roberts, and today we are diving into some of the most common challenges landlords face, and more importantly, how to solve them. Whether you're a first time landlord or you've been in the game for years, you've probably run  into at least one of these issues.

The good news, with the right strategies, they're all manageable. Let's start with one of the biggest headaches for landlords.  Rent arrears  late or missed rent payments can put you in a tough financial spot, but there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk. First, it starts with good tenant selection.  Make sure you're thoroughly checking a potential tenant's rental history, employment income, and credit check before signing the lease.  One way to do this is to use a comprehensive application form that collects information about a tenant's ability to meet financial and tenancy obligations while also making sure that you don't collect unnecessary information that can put you in trouble with anti-discrimination or privacy laws.

A credit check can help you to see if an application has a history of unpaid debts, defaults or bankruptcies. You can use agencies like Centric and Equifax. You may also check the Tenancy Tribunal Orders database to see if they've been involved in tenancy disputes. Communication's key. Advertising your rental property clearly can  remove gray areas that can lead to problems such as the property features, tenancy terms, and any rules you have such as pet policies and smoking.  This will encourage applicants who are a good fit to apply from the beginning. Be upfront about your expectations around rent, payments, and the consequences of late payments. And if a tenant does fall behind, don't wait. Address it immediately. A proactive approach can stop a small issue from turning into a major problem.

I also recommend that you let the tenants know that you will be testing for methamphetamine between tendencies. just that sets the expectation levels there and keeps you safe a little bit safer. Another common challenge is  property maintenance and repairs.  Tenants expect and deserve a well-maintained home, and as a landlord, it's your responsibility to keep on top of it.

One of the best ways to do this is by scheduling regular inspections.  This way you can catch small issues before they become costly repairs.  Also, encourage your tenants to report maintenance problems as soon as they arise, and when they do, make sure you act quickly. The longer you wait, the worse and more expensive the problem can become.

On the subject of regular inspections, it might actually be a requirement for your insurance cover. So make sure you check your terms and conditions. Next, let's talk about  tenant relations and access to the property.  Maintaining a professional yet friendly relationship with your tenants is important,  but sometimes issues arise like tenants refusing access for inspections or repairs.

To avoid this, make sure your lease agreement clearly states when and how you're allowed to enter the property. And of course, always follow the legal requirements for giving notice. Setting boundaries from the beginning can help prevent misunderstandings down the track. Now, a big one for landlords  understanding legal obligations.  The laws around tenancy can be complex, and they're constantly changing at the moment, so it's crucial to stay informed, whether it's bond rules, notice periods, or your responsibilities around healthy homes. Deadline is. The 1st of July, if you're not already meeting Healthy Homes requirements, you need to get your act together.

Otherwise, you uh. Breaking the law. Know your rights and obligations. That can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.  If you're ever unsure, seek advice from property management professionals or check out the official Tenancy Services website. That's tenancy.govt.nz for guidance.  Join a local property investors association because that's helpful to keep you up to date with changes.

And they also advocate for your rights, especially on issues that directly affect you as a landlord. And this also gives you free access to rent skills N-Z-P-I-F Landlord Education Program. That's New Zealand Property Investors Federation.  Another key to successful Landlording is setting the right rent  charge too much, and you'll struggle to find good tenants and might even leave yourself open to being taken to the Tenancy.

Tribunal charge too little and you're leaving money on the table. The best approach is to research the market and compare your property to other similar rentals in your area. It's also a good idea to review your rent annually, to keep up with market trends while still offering good value for tenants. I.

Of course, being a landlord isn't just about collecting rent. You also need to budget for expenses and vacancies. Between tenancies rates, insurance maintenance, and even periods without tenants. All need to be factored into your financial plan. A smart landlord always has a financial cushion to cover unexpected costs so that you're less likely to be caught off guard if something needs fixing or the property sits empty for a few weeks.

If all of this sounds like a lot to manage,  you might wanna consider hiring a property manager.  A good property manager can handle everything from tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance, making your life a whole lot easier. I. While it is an added cost, it's a small percentage of the weekly rent, and it can actually save you money in the long run by preventing costly mistakes and ensuring your property's well looked after.  If you don't know where to start, when it comes for looking for a good property management company. I've made a video on this topic previously. To help you get started.  We'll have the link posted on the description of this video. At the end of the day, being a landlord comes with its fair share of challenges, but with the right approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding. By staying informed, being proactive, and possibly enlisting professional help, you can make the experience much smoother and more fulfilling for both yourself and your tenants.

So that's it for today's bonus episode. Thanks for tuning into the Property Apprentice Podcast. If you found this helpful, don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss another episode. And please feel free to share it with any other of your friends or family members that you think might be interested.

I'll see you next time.