
The Minister of Finance announced on 23 March 2020 a freeze of rent increases and an extension of no-clause terminations. This has applied as law through the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Amendment Act.
These measures will support New Zealanders to stay in their rental properties with a six-month freeze on residential rent increases and increased protection from having their tenancies terminated.
- There is now a freeze on rent increases.
- A rent increase notice from a landlord will not have the effect of increasing a tenant's rent, unless the rent increase has already taken effect.
- Tenancies will not be terminated during the lock-down period, unless the parties agree, or in limited circumstances, regardless of when notice was provided.
- Tenants will still be able to terminate their tenancy as normal, if they wish.
- Tenants will have the ability to revoke termination notices that they have already given, in case they need to stay in the tenancy during the lock-down period.
- The measures take effect by Thursday 26th March 2020.
- The rent freeze applies for an initial period of six months.
- The protections against terminations will apply for an initial period of three months.
- At the end of both initial periods, the Government will evaluate whether they need to be extended.
For full information on the new measures and what they mean for landlords and tenants, please visit:
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development COVID-19 information page
- The Minister’s announcement on the Beehive website