The changes to the residential tenancies legislation passed through New Zealand’s Parliament at the end of last year and came into effect on January 30, 2025, with further changes scheduled for later in the year.

Here is a summary of what tenants and landlords need to know about the amendments, which the government says were introduced to create a more modern and balanced rental market and provide more certainty for all parties.

90-Day ‘no cause’ terminations reintroduced

Landlords will be able to end a periodic tenancy with a 90-day notice and will no longer need to provide a reason. Landlords have also regained the right to give notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of its term without requiring a specific reason.

Shorter notice periods for landlord

Landlords can terminate a periodic tenancy with a reduced notice period of 42 days for specific grounds, if certain requirements are met. These grounds include if the owner needs to use the property as their principal place of residence or for one of their family members, or if there is an unconditional sale of the property.

Shorter notice periods for tenants

Tenants can terminate a periodic tenancy with only 21 days' notice instead of the previous 28-day requirement.

Upcoming – renting with pets made easier, pet bonds and technical changes

In March 2025 further changes will come into effect, including confirming that an email address can be used as an official address in tenancy agreements and that agreements banning smoking indoors are enforceable. 

If a tenant or their child/dependent experiences family violence during a tenancy, they will be able to remove themselves from the tenancy by giving at least two days’ notice.

Effective later in the year, there will be other changes such as provision for pet consent rules (consent is required but landlords can only refuse pets on reasonable grounds), pet bond requirements (up to two weeks’ rent) and tenant liability for any pet-related damage. Disability assist dogs will be exempt from pet consent and pet bond requirements.

These are just key highlights. To explore the changes in more detail please visit the Tenancy Services website here.

Whether you want to rent, let, sell or buy a property, don’t hesitate to contact your local Raine & Horne office.