Property Management

New privacy guidelines welcomed

Confusion over what information landlords can ask for when selecting tenants should be eased by a new set of guidelines from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC).

Monday, August 19th 2019

The release of the OPC’s new guidelines today follows controversy over the original set of guidelines, which came out back in May.

They were intended to help landlords make decisions about what personal information it is reasonable to collect from prospective tenants.

But they were greeted with dismay by landlords and property managers who described them as confusing and contradictory in many areas.

There was particular concern about the restrictions around running credit checks on tenants and the prohibition on asking someone’s age and/or to see a drivers license number.

In response to the outcry, the OPC withdrew the guidelines in order to consult with industry representatives, like the NZPIF and REINZ, and rework them.

Now the revised guidelines are out and they have been welcomed by REINZ as being much clearer and simpler for the industry to follow.

REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell says the new guidelines are much clearer as they specify the type of information that should and should not be collected at various stages of the tenant selection process.

“In the OPC’s view, collecting certain information becomes more justifiable as the process progresses and this is certainly something the industry agrees with.”

A good example of this is credit checks, which were an area of concern in the earlier guidelines. The new guidelines clarify that credit checks should only be carried out on preferred applicants.

Norwell says this might slow the process down slightly if the preferred candidates credit checks are not satisfactory, but the industry agrees it is prudent to check preferred candidates rather than all candidates.

Another area of confusion was whether or not it was possible whether applicants were over 18.

But Norwell says the new guidelines clearly state this is something potential tenants can be asked from the outset in order to ensure landlords and property managers are complying with their requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act.”

“We also welcome clarity on issues such as income verification/employment, smoking, expenses, and will be working with our members to communicate these updated standards in a timely manner.”

The collaborative approach taken by the OPC over the last few months while reviewing the guidelines was to be commended, Norwell adds.

*The Privacy Commissioner’s new guidelines on the collection on personal information by landlords can be read here.

Read more:

What landlords can’t ask tenants 

Credit check ban unreasonable 

Privacy guidelines under review 

Comments

No comments yet

Heartland Bank - Online 6.69
SBS FirstHome Combo 6.74
Wairarapa Building Society 6.95
Unity 6.99
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 7.04
ICBC 7.05
China Construction Bank 7.09
BNZ - Classic 7.24
ASB Bank 7.24
ANZ Special 7.24
TSB Special 7.24
Unity First Home Buyer special 6.45
Heartland Bank - Online 6.45
China Construction Bank 6.75
TSB Special 6.75
ICBC 6.75
ANZ Special 6.79
ASB Bank 6.79
AIA - Go Home Loans 6.79
Kiwibank Special 6.79
BNZ - Classic 6.79
Unity 6.79
Westpac Special 6.39
China Construction Bank 6.40
ICBC 6.49
SBS Bank Special 6.55
Kiwibank Special 6.55
BNZ - Classic 6.55
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 6.55
ASB Bank 6.55
AIA - Go Home Loans 6.55
TSB Special 6.59
Kainga Ora 6.99
SBS FirstHome Combo 6.19
AIA - Back My Build 6.19
ANZ Blueprint to Build 7.39
Credit Union Auckland 7.70
ICBC 7.85
Heartland Bank - Online 7.99
Pepper Money Essential 8.29
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 8.40
Co-operative Bank - Standard 8.40
First Credit Union Standard 8.50
Kiwibank 8.50

More Stories

Support for regulation

Monday, March 18th 2024

Support for regulation

REINZ has emphasised the need for property management regulation to Parliament’s Social Services and Community Committee.

A better investment market

Thursday, March 14th 2024

A better investment market

“Reinstatement of interest deductibility starting from the new tax year on 1 April brings property investors back in line with every other business in the country, where interest costs are a legitimate deductible expense," Tim Horsbrugh, New Zealand Property Investors Federation (NZPIF) executive committee member says.

[OPINION] Recessionary times

Thursday, March 14th 2024

[OPINION] Recessionary times

It is not the best out there for many businesses and property sector people. Sales are down across the board, our clients’ confidence is falling, and there is a lot of uncertainty.

Interest rate expectations: It’s not over yet

Thursday, March 07th 2024

Interest rate expectations: It’s not over yet

Most Kiwis think interest rate increases have peaked.