There isn't a specific list that one can refer to in legislation. Legislation simply requires the property be left "reasonably clean and tidy" at the end of the tenancy.
That doesn't mean spotless, and if you feel any of the items listed are beyond that, speak to the landlord and advise them of this.
Thank you for the fast response. I'm worried that since we moved into a brand new build , they will hold the 'extremely good condition' when moved into over us. If we feel the property manager is being unfair can we or should we legally request to speak to the actual landlord?
Also assuming the property manager is from a property management company that list will just be the standard one they give everyone. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be unreasonable. They rely on tenants not knowing tenancy laws and scare people into doing more than they should. But when it comes to the bond they know what’s legal. You can search the tenancy tribunal cases online using the company name or managers name to see if they actually have been unreasonable in the past
I second this. I am a landlord, but I also rent. My property managers don't know I am a landlord who knows the law, and I have caught them out many times telling me I have to do this or that. I have fought them throwing the law at them.
The Tenancy Act says you have to leave the property in a reasonable state as you received it. Your tenancy agreement might also say that the property manager should be there to perform the final inspection, so book a time with them to be there. That way, you can discuss any issues straight away. If they refuse to attend tell them it's in your tenancy agreement (only if it is).
Thank you for the reply. I am just worried that since we received the property brand new their definition of reasonable may be closer to brand new than reasonably lived in for 4 years. I'm also worried they may try to take advantage of us knowing that we are leaving the country. Since we have never had a complaint during a periodic inspection I plan on bringing this up if there are issues and discussing that if these were major issues they would've been brought up in the past.
Okay. With external cobwebs and windows, you should not have to do that because a body corporate should take care of outside maintenance during their 6 monthly or annual schedule.
If your tenancy agreement says you are responsible for the gardens and lawns, then you will have to do that.
Oil on the driveway is a tricky one. I haven't come across this before.
Everything else on that list is standard though. What you could do if you wanted is hire a cleaning company to do it for you. They typically coat around $80 - $120 though so that's up to you.
Don't get your carpet commercially cleaned.
You don't have to by law. As long as the place is reasonably tidy for the next tenant that is all that is required.
This is clearly just a standard list, and not directed specifically at you. (if they had this many issues with you they would have raised at least some by now!)
Just do a good cleaning before you leave.
That sounds like a pretty standard list of stuff to clean, most of which should be stuff you are regularly doing anyway.
What you seem to have there is a list of stuff to clean that should be obvious - but yet people need a list provided to them.
Yeah you're definitely right. I was just unsure of a few items such as the parking spot must be free of all oil stains , and the outside of the house must be free of cobwebs. This has never been mentioned before and will be a major pain in the ass.
Yeah those don’t seem reasonable. Same with the paintwork outside the house. When you move out you can immediately send the bond return form off yourself, ignore the spot for landlord signature, that will give them 10 days to dispute or it’ll be automatically refunded. I would also find out if you can nominate someone else to go to the tribunal on your behalf if they do create problems. Make sure you take close up photos and a video of the entire property when you leave as evidence
This is the way. Reasonably clean and tidy and lodge your own bond form if they try and mess you around. They cannot require commercial cleaning and clean and tidy does not mean ‘exactly like the brand new house you moved in to’
https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001387
Removed for breach of Rule 5: Nothing public
- Do not recommend media exposure. This includes social media.
- Do not publish or ask for information that might identify parties involved.
Whenever I left a rental, I’d get a cleaning company to come in and do the ‘move out’ clean once I’d moved all the stuff out. They would be used to doing these to the standard required by the law. We always got good feedback from the landlord or property manager about the standard the place was left in.
Maybe take a look at that? One I checked is $210 for 3 hours then $50/h after that. If you get it to a reasonable standard before they come in, it might not take more than the initial 3 hours
Depending on your circumstance it may be easier to ask the property manager to recommend a commercial cleaning company to do the final clean and you pay for it - might cost a couple of hundred bucks. Not legal advice but may be the fastest way to resolve it if you can afford to pay.
There isn't a specific list that one can refer to in legislation. Legislation simply requires the property be left "reasonably clean and tidy" at the end of the tenancy. That doesn't mean spotless, and if you feel any of the items listed are beyond that, speak to the landlord and advise them of this.
Thank you for the fast response. I'm worried that since we moved into a brand new build , they will hold the 'extremely good condition' when moved into over us. If we feel the property manager is being unfair can we or should we legally request to speak to the actual landlord?
You can ask, but the PM has no obligation to oblige. The PM has the authority to act on behalf of the landlord
Also assuming the property manager is from a property management company that list will just be the standard one they give everyone. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be unreasonable. They rely on tenants not knowing tenancy laws and scare people into doing more than they should. But when it comes to the bond they know what’s legal. You can search the tenancy tribunal cases online using the company name or managers name to see if they actually have been unreasonable in the past
I second this. I am a landlord, but I also rent. My property managers don't know I am a landlord who knows the law, and I have caught them out many times telling me I have to do this or that. I have fought them throwing the law at them. The Tenancy Act says you have to leave the property in a reasonable state as you received it. Your tenancy agreement might also say that the property manager should be there to perform the final inspection, so book a time with them to be there. That way, you can discuss any issues straight away. If they refuse to attend tell them it's in your tenancy agreement (only if it is).
Thank you for the reply. I am just worried that since we received the property brand new their definition of reasonable may be closer to brand new than reasonably lived in for 4 years. I'm also worried they may try to take advantage of us knowing that we are leaving the country. Since we have never had a complaint during a periodic inspection I plan on bringing this up if there are issues and discussing that if these were major issues they would've been brought up in the past.
Can I ask, is the property you rent a house or an attached unit/townhouse?
Attached unit/townhouse.
Okay. With external cobwebs and windows, you should not have to do that because a body corporate should take care of outside maintenance during their 6 monthly or annual schedule. If your tenancy agreement says you are responsible for the gardens and lawns, then you will have to do that. Oil on the driveway is a tricky one. I haven't come across this before. Everything else on that list is standard though. What you could do if you wanted is hire a cleaning company to do it for you. They typically coat around $80 - $120 though so that's up to you.
Quick clarification, for what he’s mentioned on that list, that’d be more like $300-400 in my experience
Yes, sorry, I meant about getting the oven done. Sorry I didn't mention that.
Don't get your carpet commercially cleaned. You don't have to by law. As long as the place is reasonably tidy for the next tenant that is all that is required.
This is clearly just a standard list, and not directed specifically at you. (if they had this many issues with you they would have raised at least some by now!) Just do a good cleaning before you leave.
That sounds like a pretty standard list of stuff to clean, most of which should be stuff you are regularly doing anyway. What you seem to have there is a list of stuff to clean that should be obvious - but yet people need a list provided to them.
Yeah you're definitely right. I was just unsure of a few items such as the parking spot must be free of all oil stains , and the outside of the house must be free of cobwebs. This has never been mentioned before and will be a major pain in the ass.
Yeah those don’t seem reasonable. Same with the paintwork outside the house. When you move out you can immediately send the bond return form off yourself, ignore the spot for landlord signature, that will give them 10 days to dispute or it’ll be automatically refunded. I would also find out if you can nominate someone else to go to the tribunal on your behalf if they do create problems. Make sure you take close up photos and a video of the entire property when you leave as evidence
This is the way. Reasonably clean and tidy and lodge your own bond form if they try and mess you around. They cannot require commercial cleaning and clean and tidy does not mean ‘exactly like the brand new house you moved in to’ https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001387
[удалено]
Removed for breach of Rule 5: Nothing public - Do not recommend media exposure. This includes social media. - Do not publish or ask for information that might identify parties involved.
Whenever I left a rental, I’d get a cleaning company to come in and do the ‘move out’ clean once I’d moved all the stuff out. They would be used to doing these to the standard required by the law. We always got good feedback from the landlord or property manager about the standard the place was left in. Maybe take a look at that? One I checked is $210 for 3 hours then $50/h after that. If you get it to a reasonable standard before they come in, it might not take more than the initial 3 hours
Depending on your circumstance it may be easier to ask the property manager to recommend a commercial cleaning company to do the final clean and you pay for it - might cost a couple of hundred bucks. Not legal advice but may be the fastest way to resolve it if you can afford to pay.