This year, the Government introduced a number of changes to make it easier for certain homebuyers to purchase a home. Perhaps the most important of these changes is in how KiwiSaver accounts can be leveraged to pull together a deposit and contribute towards the overall settlement. At First Avenue Property we have noticed a dramatic increase in interest from first-time homebuyers this year, which we attribute largely to these rule changes. Changes to KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme In July 2016, changes to...
As a landlord, you are bound to encounter issues with a tenant at some point or another. In the majority of cases, these problems can be resolved amicably through a simple conversation. Sometimes, however, you might need the help of a mediator to resolve the issue and/or make the resolution legally binding. In today’s post we’re going to describe the benefits of mediation and explain how the mediation process works. Resolving tenancy issues Tenancy issues can range from very small to...
The new requirements for insulation and smoke alarms in residential rental properties have been approved by Parliament and are in effect as of 1 July 2016. A number of smaller changes have also been made to the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), but the largest changes are those surrounding smoke alarms and insulation. Details about these changes can be found on the Tenancy Services website. In today’s article, we’ll provide you with a timeline and overview of the smoke alarm and insulation...
Great Britain’s exit from the EU sent shockwaves around the world as each country wondered how this change would affect their economy and culture. Given our close ties with the UK, many of us in New Zealand have been especially curious about the local impact that Brexit may have. In the real estate community, there has been a lot of discussion about how Brexit may affect property prices. While it’s all speculation at this point, a few early reports show...
If you’re a landlord, you want to protect your property and the health of future tenants. Is routine meth testing the answer? In today’s article, we’ll discuss when and how often meth testing should be performed.
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