Free Public Advocacy Service

A number of changes to residential tenancy laws came into effect in New Zealand at the end of January 2025.  You can find out what the changes mean for you as a landlord or tenant on the Tenancy Services website. < link to https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/law-changes/&gt;

Some key things to be aware of include:

• A tenant can end their periodic tenancy with 21 days’ notice (previously 28 days)
• A landlord can terminate a periodic tenancy by giving the tenant 90 days’ notice without providing a reason. This is known as a ‘no cause’ termination (previously a lawful reason was required)
• A landlord can give 42 days’ notice to end a tenancy if they or a member of their family need the property to live in, or the property is being sold and vacant possession is required (previously 63 and 90 days respectively).
• Fixed-term tenancies roll over to periodic when the term expires, unless they are ended, extended or renewed. For fixed-term tenancies finishing on or after 1 May 2025, either the landlord or tenant can end the fixed-term tenancy without a reason by giving notice between 90 and 21 days before the fixed term ends (previously only the tenant could give notice without a reason).

If you are unsure about your rights and are not sure what agency to talk to, who can help you, or if you don’t know where to start, come and speak to us at one of our clinics:

• Tuesday – Greerton Library – 1:00pm-2:30pm
• Wednesday – Arataki Community Centre  – 10:30am-12:00pm
• Wednesday – Pāpāmoa Community Centre – 10:00am-11:30am
• Thursday – Welcome Bay Community Centre  – 1:00-2:30pm