Battling the landlord

Our Experts Answer:

A landlord, including any agent acting on their behalf, may enter the premises to do any maintenance or repairs you have asked to be fixed with the required 24 hours’ notice or with your agreement. If necessary, a landlord or their agent may also bring with them trades persons to assist with repairs.

Speak with your landlord in the first instance to determine when the work will be finalised if the requested maintenance and repairs are not completed by the expiry of the notice to remedy. If you are unable to reach a workable solution between you, then you can make an application to the Tenancy Tribunal to have the matter resolved.

Tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of their rental home. Landlords should take care not to include any of the tenants’ belongings in any photos they may need to take of the interior of the premises, such as when taking a photo of repair work or damage. If the landlord has taken photos of tenants possessions, rather than the repair or damage, and the tenant considers that this has breached their reasonable peace, comfort, or privacy this should be raised with the landlord and followed up in writing requiring this practice to stop.

For more on the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, visit our website at www.tenancy.govt.nz .