Bex Harris

Bex HarrisOwner | Property Manager

  • For Owners

Why We Don't Cut Corners - Property Management Done Right in Christchurch

If you've ever watched Renters, you'll know property management makes for great TV. Real life isn't always so entertaining, though, especially when things end up in the headlines.

Recently, another Christchurch property management company made the news after an MBIE audit.

We're not here to point fingers. Headlines rarely tell the whole story, and there's usually a lot more going on behind the scenes, but the moral of the story is, there is no excuses!

Property management isn't always black and white

Being a landlord or a property manager isn't always as simple as it looks. Every day, we help rental property owners work through things like:

  • Rising costs: keeping up with repairs and compliance when budgets are tight.
  • Unexpected maintenance: a burst pipe or failed heat pump can turn into a costly repair overnight.
  • Old healthy homes reports: some early reports weren't as thorough as they should have been, which can mean surprise costs later.
  • Notice periods: getting the timing and reasons right when a tenancy ends.
  • Rent increases: following the rules on how often and how much notice is needed.
  • Grey areas in tenancy law: the Residential Tenancies Act changes often, and the right answer isn't always obvious.

None of it is easy. Sometimes it means a hard conversation, and now and then it means parting ways with a client.

Why your property manager might seem a little fussy

We'll admit it, sometimes we ask for things that feel a bit over the top, like another heating check, a fresh piece of paperwork, or a repair before a new tenant moves in.

There's a good reason. MBIE audits are real, and they look at everything, from healthy homes compliance and bond lodgement to tenancy agreements and record keeping. Our job is to make sure your property, your tenants and your investment are all protected, even when that isn't the easy option.

Landlord obligations protect everyone

Tenancy law isn't there to make life harder. It's there to make sure rentals are safe, warm and fairly managed. When landlord obligations are met, owners are protected from costly Tribunal claims, and tenants can trust the home they're living in.

That's why compliance sits at the heart of everything we do.

Our approach is simple

At Ted Property Management, we're in customer service and the law. We take a common-sense approach, but when in doubt, we'll always lean towards caution. We aim to meet or exceed every requirement, keep up with changes to tenancy law, and always explain why we're asking for something.

We'd much rather keep the drama on TV. If that means a tricky conversation now to save a big headache later, we think that's worth it.

Frequently asked questions

What does a property manager do to keep my rental compliant?
A good property manager keeps track of healthy homes standards, bond lodgement, tenancy agreements, rent increase rules, notice periods and regular inspections, so nothing slips through the cracks.

What happens if my rental property fails an MBIE audit?
Breaches can lead to fines, Tenancy Tribunal orders and compensation to tenants. Fixing issues early is far cheaper than dealing with them later.

Is my old healthy homes report still valid?
There's no set date when a healthy homes report needs to be redone, and in most cases there's no legal requirement to update it. However, each time you sign a new tenancy agreement, you must include a statement confirming the property complies with the healthy homes standards. That's why it pays to have the report reviewed for older homes, or when things change, such as insulation settling over time or new draughts appearing. That way you can be confident the property still meets the standards. Also each property inspection we carry out a visual check to ensure extraction fans are working and no draughts have come about.

At Ted Property Management we are here to ensure everyone is potected, we follow the law and always ensure documents are in place. Get intouch with our team at Ted Property Management Christchurch and we can discuss your property requirements.