My landlord hasn't lodged my bond, what can I do?
Zephyr asks:
(updated on Friday, May 28th 2010)
Our Experts Answer:
Landlords have an obligation to ensure premises are maintained in a reasonable state of repair, and comply with all the relevant health, safety, and building regulations. Landlords also have an obligation to lodge any bonds with the Department of Building and Housing within 23 working days of receipt. Where repairs that are the landlord’s responsibility have not been fixed and where your landlord has not lodged your bond, you can write to them giving 10 working days’ notice to carry out the necessary repairs and to lodge the bond.
You may also include a request for compensation (possibly in the form of a rent reduction) until the repairs are completed, and you have full use of the property. Keep a copy of the letter for your records. You need to allow time for delivering the notice to your landlord. If you hand the letter to your landlord, the 10 working day period takes effect immediately. However, if you drop it in your landlord’s letterbox you must allow an extra two working days, and if you post it to your landlord you must allow four working days.
You can download a template for giving 10 working days’ notice from the Department of Building and Housing’s website (www.dbh.govt.nz). Upon expiry of the notice, if your landlord has not completed the repairs or lodged the bond, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to have the matter resolved. To discuss your situation further, or for advice and information about applying to the Tenancy Tribunal, you can contact the Department of Building and Housing on 0800 TENANCY (0800 836 262).
The Department of Building and Housing provides information and guidance on building law and compliance, services including weathertight homes, and advice for tenants and landlords.
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 |