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Article By Dylan Hasson Finding the perfect rental property in New Zealand can be exciting — but in today’s competitive rental market, securing it often depends on how strong your rental application is. Landlords and Property Managers sometimes receive 20+ applications for a single property, so you need to stand out for the right reasons. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a rental in NZ and increase your chances of being approved. 1) Prepare Your Documents Before You Start Viewing. Before you even attend an open home, gather all the paperwork you’ll need. Being ready means you can apply on the same day you find a property you love.   Common documents for NZ rental applications include:   Proof of identity (driver’s licence or passport) Proof of income (recent payslips, bank statements, or employer letter) References (from previous landlords, employers, or flatmates) Rental history (addresses, dates, and landlord contact details)   Tip: Store these in a digital folder so you can email or upload them instantly. 2) Make a Positive Impression at the Viewing. Your rental application starts the moment you meet the landlord or Property Manager.   To leave a great first impression: Arrive on time Dress neatly Be polite and friendly Ask questions about the property and tenancy   In a competitive market, Property Managers remember applicants who are professional and respectful. 3) Complete the Rental Application Form in Full. An incomplete form can push your application to the bottom of the pile. Whether you’re filling out a paper or online form, make sure every section is completed.   Double-check:   Spelling of names and addresses Phone and email contact details Pet ownership details (if relevant) Attach all required documents   Tip: Be honest — Property Managers value transparency. 4) Provide Strong, Reliable References. References can make or break your rental application. Choose referees who can speak to your reliability, cleanliness, and ability to pay rent on time.   Best references for NZ rentals include:   Current or past landlords Employers or managers Long-term flatmates (secondary option)   Tip:  Let your referees know they may get a call — quick responses can speed up approval. 5) Prove Your Financial Stability. Landlords want assurance you can pay rent without issues.   Consider including:   Recent payslips (showing steady income) Employer letter confirming your job and salary Bank statements (if comfortable) Savings proof (helpful for self-employed or new job situations) 6) Apply Fast. In hot rental markets like Auckland and Wellington, good homes can be taken within days — sometimes hours.   Speed tips:   Have your documents ready before the viewing Submit your application as soon as possible Follow the exact instructions from the listing or Property Manager 7) Follow Up, Without Being Pushy. If you haven’t heard back after 1-2 days, a polite email or call to the Property Manager shows you’re genuinely interested. Avoid being pushy — just check in to confirm they received your application. Example: “Hi [Name], I just wanted to check if my rental application for [Address] was received. I’m still very interested in the property. Thank you for your time.” Final Thoughts   A well-prepared, complete, and timely rental application can put you ahead of the competition. Remember: organisation, honesty, and communication are key. I hope this article has been informative and provided you with some value on how to create stronger rental applications. Remember, good property professionals are there to help you with your property needs, even if there’s no business in it, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted property advisor for help. Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Renting laws and requirements may vary — always check with the landlord, property manager, or Tenancy Services for the most up-to-date information. Article By Dylan Hasson Founder – Rent365.co.nz Thank you for reading my article. If you’re a Property Manager or run a real estate business in need of extra eyes on your listings – Feel free to get in touch! Email hello@rent365.co.nz Schedule an appointment Thank you for reading my article. If you’re a Property Manager or run a real estate business in need of extra eyes on your listings – Feel free to get in touch! Email hello@rent365.co.nz Schedule an appointment ADVERTISEMENT More From Our Blog Is Using A Property Manager Right For YOU? Read More 16 August 2024 Tenants: Thinking Of Breaking Your Lease? Read More 13 July 2025 Tenants: Tips To Make Stronger Rental Applications. Read More 17 August 2024 How to Make a Winning Rental Application in NZ | Tenant Tips 2025 Read More 5 August 2025 Load More

Article By Dylan Hasson Tenants, Thinking of Breaking Your Lease? Here’s What You Need to Know.   Breaking a fixed-term tenancy agreement in New Zealand is not something tenants should take lightly. Whether it’s due to a job relocation, relationship changes, financial stress, or personal circumstances, leaving a rental before your lease ends can come with complications. But it’s not impossible — and if approached correctly, you can minimise the legal and financial risks for yourself and remain on good terms with your landlord or property manager. This article walks you through what it means to break a lease in NZ, the potential consequences, and the steps you should take to navigate the process professionally. Can You Break a Fixed-Term Tenancy in NZ? Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, a fixed-term tenancy in New Zealand is legally binding until the agreed end date. Unlike periodic tenancies (which can be ended with notice), fixed-term tenancies lock both landlord and tenant into the contract for a set period — commonly 6 or 12 months. However, there are some options and circumstances that may allow you to end a tenancy early. Valid Reasons Tenants Break a Lease Some common reasons tenants may want to end their tenancy early include:   Job relocation to a different city or country Family or relationship breakdown Health issues or personal safety concerns Financial hardship or inability to afford the rent Changes in household (e.g. flatmates moving out)   These are all understandable situations — but they don’t automatically release you from your obligations. What Are the Consequences of Breaking a Lease? If you break a fixed-term lease without following proper procedures or gaining agreement from the landlord/property manager, the consequences can include:   Liability for rent until a replacement tenant is found or the end of the lease term (whichever comes first) Advertising and letting fees, if incurred by the landlord to find a new tenant Potential deductions from your bond if the property is not left in good condition A poor reference or negative rental history which could impact your future applications   That said, the landlord is also obligated under the law to mitigate losses — they must make reasonable efforts to re-let the property as soon as possible, rather than keep it vacant while charging you rent. How to Break a Lease Professionally (Step-by-Step) If you find yourself needing to break your lease, here’s how to do it the right way: 1. Talk to Your Property Manager or Landlord Early The sooner you communicate your intentions, the better. Contact your landlord or property manager as soon as you know you need to leave. Be honest, polite, and explain your reasons clearly. Most agents will appreciate early notice. 2. Check Your Tenancy Agreement Review your tenancy agreement to understand the terms. Some leases include a “break clause” or an agreement on how to handle early termination (e.g. paying a set fee or providing a replacement tenant). Knowing what’s in writing will guide your options. 3. Request Mutual Agreement to End the Tenancy The easiest way to end a lease early is through mutual agreement between you and the landlord. This must be documented in writing. Most property managers will formalise it with a lease termination agreement. 4. Help Find a Replacement Tenant Offering to find a suitable replacement tenant can go a long way. The new tenant will need to meet the landlord’s screening criteria. If a replacement is found and approved, this can often release you from your lease earlier with fewer penalties.   Tips for success: Advertise the property on platforms like Rent365.co.nz Share with friends or community groups Organise viewings if allowed by your landlord 5. Agree on Costs (if Any) While landlords can charge reasonable costs for re-letting (e.g. marketing or letting fees), they’re generally also able to charge rent until a new tenant is secured. Negotiate a fair outcome. Common scenarios include: Paying rent until a new tenant is found Covering marketing fees (if applicable) Paying a lease break fee (if outlined in the contract) 6. Get It All in Writing Once an agreement is reached, make sure everything is documented in writing. This includes: Agreed final date of tenancy Agreed costs or responsibilities Confirmation of bond arrangements Keep copies of all communications. 7. Leave the Property in Good Condition Clean the property thoroughly and fix any minor damage before you leave. A smooth exit improves your chances of getting your bond back and receiving a good reference. Exceptions: When You May Be Able to End a Lease Legally Some situations allow a tenant to legally exit a fixed-term lease early:   Uninhabitable Premises If the property is unsafe, has major repair issues, or becomes uninhabitable (e.g. due to flooding or fire), the lease may be terminated under the Act. Breach of Agreement by Landlord If the landlord has breached their obligations (e.g. failing to carry out repairs or entering without notice), you may apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to end the lease. Assignment with Landlord’s Consent You can request to assign the lease to another tenant. If the landlord unreasonably refuses, you may apply to the Tribunal. Tenancy Tribunal Involvement If agreement can’t be reached and you believe you have valid grounds, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to request early termination. Be prepared to provide evidence of hardship or breach. More info: www.tenancy.govt.nz Final Thoughts: Do It the Right Way Breaking a lease early doesn’t have to end in conflict. Clear communication, good documentation, and a willingness to work with your landlord can result in a smooth, respectful exit. Tenancy law in NZ recognises both tenant rights and landlord obligations. By taking the professional route, you’ll avoid unnecessary costs, keep your rental record in good standing, and potentially help another tenant find a home sooner. If you’re unsure, get in touch with Tenancy Services or consult a tenancy advocate for personalised advice. Helpful Links: Tenancy Services NZ – Ending a Tenancy Rent365 – Rental Listings Portal…

Article By Dylan Hasson If you’ve gone through the process of finding and securing the perfect rental property (or currently going through the process) then you’ve likely experienced the multiple frustrations of doing so. From taking time out of the day to go view properties, the transport costs of getting to the viewings (sometimes to find that you’ve been “catfished” and the property looks nothing like it does in the photos), and then experiencing the excitement of finding the perfect home only to be informed that your application was unsuccessful.   Talking from experience of going through the process with my wife within the last year – it can be very frustrating and demotivating to find and secure your perfect rental property. Coincidentally, not long after going through the process of securing our rental home, I find myself working in the real estate industry with a large focus on, you guessed it, rental properties.   In this article I’ve compiled a few tips which could potentially help hopeful tenants secure their preferred property, whether applying through a real estate company or directly through the landlord. 1) View The Property. Or at the very least, have someone view it on your behalf if you’re unable to attend a scheduled viewing. Some software for property management which manages the applications will automatically decline an application if the tenant has not viewed the property. If your circumstances make it impossible to view a property and you have nobody who is able to view it on your behalf (perhaps you live out of town and have not yet met anyone nearby who can view the property for you) then before applying, contact the listing property manager (or landlord), explain your circumstances and ask if they will do a walkthrough video for you during their next viewing and if they will accept that as you’ve viewed the property. Then if you decide to apply you can “tick” that you’ve viewed the property and your application will likely not be automatically declined. 2) Supply A Good Rental Resume. Imagine being in the Property Manager’s and Landlord’s shoes, to put it simply, they’re looking for a stranger who they can trust to take care of an expensive asset and pay rent on time. By providing a good tenant resume about yourself, your family or housemates, you’re able to convey a message to the Property Manager or landlord about who you are and what kind of tenant you will be.   Although this won’t guarantee that you will secure a property, it could allow a Property Manager and landlord to get to know you a bit more personally instead of being just an applicant amongst other applicants and therefore could potentially increase your chance of being a preferred applicant.   In a future article I’ll go more into more details about creating a great tenant resume with an example layout. Essentially though, your rental resume should deliver your message efficiently without being multiple pages long of reading. 3) Be “Memorable”. If the property you’re applying for is well-priced and in a popular area, the Property Manager or landlord is likely going to have a lot of interactions at viewings and receive a number of applications. When interacting with the Property Manager or landlord, whether at a viewing or phone call, or text or email, be one of the people they remember by simply being friendly and polite.  Property Management can often be a stressful job. Things go wrong and Property Managers often deal with unpleasant situations and difficult people (one of the reasons they’re looking for the right tenants for a property) so by being friendly and polite can go a long way towards being somebody that a Property Manager would want to work with as a tenant. This point also goes hand-in-hand with the previous point of supplying a good rental resume. An eye-catching resume which delivers your message efficiently is a powerful way of standing out from other applicants. 4) Consider Offering More. A rental in a sought-after area or that’s priced very well is bound to attract a lot of interest and therefore more competition, so consider putting your best offer in.   With properties for sale, buyers will put their best offer in to increase their chances of the seller accepting their offer, so the same approach could be taken in the rental market. If a landlord has multiple applications to choose from, the one offering slightly more will surely stand out.   Now I’m well aware that people will try save money where possible instead of paying more, especially as the cost of living continues to increase, but consider all factors when taking this approach, for example, the property might be located in the perfect location for your requirements and could potentially save you on both travel time and costs during your commute to and from work, schools, etc. Offering slightly more on the rental might save you more money elsewhere and it might just be the difference of securing the perfect rental or losing out on it. 5) Consider Offering Less. Sometimes, properties just don’t rent out quickly and often this is due to the asking price simply being too high.   As property professionals we see it often that a landlord has expectations of achievable rental income that are just not realistic. Whether the expectations are from news articles stating “rents on the rise” or perhaps they had a rental appraisal done during a time of very high rental demand. The real estate market is constantly changing, a property can be listed, generate good interest and have viewings, but not attract any applications from tenants and this often results in a property sitting vacant for a long period of time.   Although a property may be suitable for potential tenants who have come to view it, they may feel the asking rental is too high and not submit an application at all. In these instances, the only way a landlord…

Article By Dylan Hasson If you haven’t been a victim of a scam it’s probably easy to say you’d never fall for one – but scammers are very skilled at taking advantage of people, especially those who find themselves desperately looking for a rental home.   A very common scam happening on platforms such as marketplace and rental groups – Scammers using legitimate photos of rental properties listed by estate agencies to trick unknowing tenants into paying them large sums of money as security deposits & upfront rental.   Scammers even go as far as posing as owners of properties which are currently available through agencies, sending prospective tenants to view the properties during open viewings hosted by the agencies with the instructions of not informing the property managers that they’re talking to the supposed owner. Once the prospective tenant has viewed the property the scammer says they’ll rent it out directly to the tenant at a reduced price because there’s no commission involved. So on the surface it all makes sense and sounds genuine – there’s a property available, you as a prospective tenant has viewed it, there’s a landlord who’s being a bit cheeky by trying to go around the property manager, but you may think that it’s ok as you’re getting a reduced rental and saving money by renting directly with the landlord, so you pay the bond and upfront rental over to the landlord, potentially even give notice at your current rental – only to find out a few days or weeks later that you’ve been scammed for thousands and you and your family have to move out because you’ve given notice at your current rental.   This will likely cause any victim severe financial harm, so hopefully this short article will shed some light on these scams and potentially save you from falling for one. Here are a few Red Flags to look for on marketplace adverts and the poster themselves: 1) Asking for payment through Paypal, or similar payment methods. This is almost certainly a scam. The scammer could be anywhere in the world which could significantly reduce your chances of getting your money back. Making payments to a local bank account where the account number and details can be tracked is safer (Although this still does not guarantee it’s not a scam). 2) Pressure to make a payment. Scammers will often use pressure tactics and try get you to make payment before you have a chance to think about the situation. They will say things like “There is a lot of interest in the property” & “The first person who pays the deposit will secure it”. Don’t fall for this, always take enough time to evaluate the situation and look for other signs to determine if it may be a scam. 3) Look at the poster & their other listings.​ Take a moment to have a look at who’s listing the property and their other listings. Does the account look genuine or is it a new account or an account with very few details? Have a look at other listings they may have posted, often scammers will post multiple properties for rent and in various areas far away from each other.  These signs should raise red flags as the odds are low that a genuine person would have multiple properties to rent in various far away locations. Another sign to look out for is when they tell you to not inform the property manager that you’re talking to them. Even if there was a small chance that you are talking with the real owner, it’s also an unethical thing for them to be doing. If an owner is willing to do the property manager out of their fees, chances are they may also be willing to take advantage of you as a tenant – so protect yourself and your money by going through the correct channels if the property is listed with an agency.   Reputable Agencies generally don’t advertise on marketplace. So when viewing a property, inform the property manager that you’ve seen it on marketplace and let the property manager advise you accordingly. Don’t feel shy or intimidated to speak with the property manager, a good manager will be willing to provide you with a professional service and shouldn’t get annoyed with you.   Besides, what’s worse – a slightly annoyed property manager or being scammed out of a lot of money? I hope this has been informative and provided you with some insight on how to identify some scams and how to avoid falling victim to one. Remember, good property professionals are there to help you with your property needs, even if there’s no business in it, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted property advisor for help. Article By Dylan Hasson Founder – Rent365.co.nz Thank you for reading my article. If you’re a Property Manager or run a real estate business in need of extra eyes on your listings – Feel free to get in touch! Email hello@rent365.co.nz Schedule an appointment Thank you for reading my article. If you’re a Property Manager or run a real estate business in need of extra eyes on your listings – Feel free to get in touch! Email hello@rent365.co.nz Schedule an appointment ADVERTISEMENT More From Our Blog Is Using A Property Manager Right For YOU? Read More 16 August 2024 Tenants: Tips To Make Stronger Rental Applications. Read More 17 August 2024 Avoid Falling For Rental Scams Read More 17 August 2024