Marina George

One of the first questions many landlords ask when choosing a property manager is:  What’s your fee? That makes sense. Fees are easy to compare and they directly affect the return from your property. But the fee on its own doesn’t tell you much about how a property will actually be managed. If you’ve searched […]

If you own a rental in New Zealand, you already know this: stuff in your property wears out… long before the mortgage does. Carpets get tired.Fences lean.Ovens and dishwashers get slower and louder. All of that drop in value is a real cost to you as a property investor. The good news? The IRD actually

What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know From 1 December 2025, new rules under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024 will change the way pets are managed in rental homes across New Zealand. For a long time, renters with pets have found it tough to secure a place to live, thanks to blanket “no pets”

One change of legislation that’s recently changed in NZ’s rental landscape is the fixed-term tenancy. The rules shifted in May 2025, giving property owners more clarity. But, with that landlords also have more responsibility. Below, I’ll walk you through: 1. What is a fixed-term tenancy? A fixed-term tenancy is a rental agreement with a clear

So you want to get on the property ladder, but you also love your lifestyle. Living close to the city, your workplace, and your favourite cafes and gym is important to you. The challenge is that the places you want to live in aren’t necessarily the ones you can afford to buy in. This is

You’ve bought an investment property. You’ve painted, carpeted, deep-cleaned, and ticked off your Healthy Homes checklist and you’re finally ready to open the doors to tenants. And it might feel like the hard part is over. Not quite! Before you reward yourself with a well-earned flat white (or a wine or two), there’s one crucial

The keys were still warm in her hand. Months of searching, signing, and wondering what to buy… done. Our new investor had just bought a brand-new townhouse in Manurewa. She’d done what so many first-time investors do: relied completely on the rental appraisal from the same people who sold her the property. It told her

It’s the middle of winter. The heater’s on, your home is insulated and is Healthy Homes compliant.  So why are your windows covered in condensation each morning? Both older and newer homes deal with condensation, especially in winter.  That’s why ventilation matters. It’s not just about comfort, it’s also about keeping mould at bay. Condensation

No Exceptions. No Grace. No More Time.1 July 2025 = Comply or Vacate Landlords, this is your final boarding call: Healthy Homes compliance becomes non-negotiable on 1 July 2025.Not optional. Not flexible. Not “we’re still working on it.” If your rental property isn’t compliant by the deadline: ❌ You can’t rent it out.No compliance =

These days, attracting great tenants takes more than just a “For Rent” sign  If it feels like it’s harder than ever to find the right tenant, you’re not imagining it. Renters are spoilt for choice, and competition is fierce. But the good news? A few smart tweaks can give your property the edge it needs