Great question and addressing mould concerns requires collaboration between tenants and landlords. 

Mould is a type of fungal growth that generates minuscule particles known as "spores." When inhaled by individuals with sensitivities or allergies to these spores, health issues may arise. These may manifest as nasal congestion, irritation of the eyes and skin, and in some cases, wheezing. In more severe instances, mould can exacerbate asthma symptoms in affected individuals. Hence, it is crucial to prevent the proliferation of mould and mildew.

Landlords, for starters, are mostly obligated to provide new tenants with a mould-free environment as part of upholding minimum standards, which vary by region. 

However, even if a property is vacant, not all mould is easily visible. Therefore, tenants should quickly notify their Raine & Horne Property Manager of any indications of mould or mildew, as well as any issues that might lead to the formation of these fungi, such as leaks in the roof, walls, pipes, or indoor plumbing. Additionally, poorly sealed windows and insufficient ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens can encourage the growth of mould. Upon receiving notification, the Property Manager will organise suitable tradespeople to investigate and resolve the issues.

Certain properties may be more prone to mould due to factors such as age, structural issues, location, or insufficient ventilation. In such cases, landlords are typically responsible for mould remediation.

Blocked roof gutters can exacerbate mould problems, particularly after severe weather conditions such as storms and heavy rainfall. Tenants should report blocked gutters to their landlords, who are responsible for clearing them. Failure to address this issue can lead to water overflow and subsequent mould growth, along with potentially costly structural damage.

Furthermore, tenants are responsible for removing surface mould to the best of their ability, as outlined in their tenancy agreement. Environmentally friendly cleaning solutions are available for this purpose, making mould removal safer and more effective than ever before.

For information about the property market in a suburb or town you’re considering for investment, reach out to your local Raine & Horne office without delay.

Cyclone Gabrielle was the worst storm to hit New Zealand this century, and it has left many NZ tenants displaced as the storm devastates large parts of the North Island.

“Cyclone Gabrielle is the most significant weather event New Zealand has seen this century. The severity and the damage that we are seeing has not been experienced in a generation,” the prime minister, Chris Hipkins, told a press conference on Tuesday 14 February.

“We are still building a picture of the effects of the cyclone as it continues to unfold. But what we do know is the impact is significant and it is widespread.”

Check your insurance cover!

House and contents policies typically include temporary accommodation benefits, including those held by renters. If it’s not possible to stay in your home, call your insurer as soon as possible. If you can stay in your home, it is best to lodge your insurance claim online.

If renters need to move out of the property due to severe damage or tenancy termination due to uninhabitability caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, they can seek assistance for emergency accommodation at one of the Evacuation Centres across Auckland set up by Auckland Emergency Management, or from WINZ who can provide both accommodation and emergency assistance payments.

There may also be options available through the Temporary Accommodation Service. Also please call 111 if you feel in any danger.

Also please call Kainga Ora Homes and Communities’ Customer Support Centre on 0800 801 601 if you need to communicate something urgent about your home. We are here to help.

Cyclone Gabrielle has also worsened the impacts for those communities recovering from recent floods. People in Auckland who need emergency flood assistance can phone 0800 22 22 00.

Please stay safe and our thoughts are with you.

For more information about responding to flood damage to your rental home, contact your local Raine & Horne office.

This is a very timely question, and our thoughts are with those impacted by the flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle.

According to industry peak body, Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, property owners are responsible for maintaining a property in a reasonable condition and fixing any damage to the property caused by a natural disaster.

In the case of flooding, the landlord is responsible for ensuring necessary repairs are carried out if the property remains habitable as well as the cost associated with hiring machinery to dry the property if there has been water damage. This could include the hiring of equipment to dry the home and any electricity charges incurred by the tenants.

Property owners should seek advice from their insurer about cover that may be in place to assist with the costs. At the same time, Property Managers should work with the landlord to understand the level of insurance cover they have and determine the next step in the process.

What happens if the property is damaged but liveable? 

If the property is still liveable but has unusable rooms and spaces, the rent should be reduced until the completion of the repairs. There is no prescribed formula for this reduction, and you and the tenant must come to a written mutual agreement.

It’s essential to keep in mind factors such as the overall liveability of the property, the safety of the occupants, how extensive the repairs are and the amount of time the repairs will take when assessing the rent reduction. All evidence of the damage must be recorded, including photographs and videos, should this be needed for insurance purposes or any potential Tenancy Tribunal dispute, advises the REINZ.

The rent reduction should begin when the property is destroyed and damaged and not at the time when a notice of the reduction is presented to the tenant. 

All obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act remain, and owners must give 24 hours’ notice to the tenant to inspect the property or allow assessors on site, unless the entry is due to an emergency, or you have obtained the tenant’s consent to enter.

For more information about responding to flood damage to an investment property, contact your local Raine & Horne office.

Despite cities and regions around Australia regularly shifting into and out of lockdowns as we head towards 80% vaccinations, tenants are still moving in and out of rental properties as tenancy agreements end or circumstances change.

Also, in times like this, every penny count, so it’s vital that you take every step possible to recoup your entire bond when exiting a rental property.

To ensure you can recoup your bond in full, start by reading through the entry report you received from your Property Manager at the start of the tenancy. This report will show you the property’s condition when you moved in and what patch-ups might be required. For example, is there some damage you’ve caused to the venetian blinds, or some stains on carpets that weren’t there before you moved in? Perhaps there are some nasty scuff marks on the skirting boards, a broken window, or holes in the walls? These blemishes and repairs must be attended to at your expense to ensure you get the bond repaid in full. 

This level of rigour must also be applied to external areas, meaning pools should be glistening and gardens and lawns presented in apple-pie order.

It’s also crucial that you remove all your belongings from the property before the Property Manager conducts their exit inspection. Likewise, if you leave a rubbish heap on the curbside, don’t expect to get your bond back until the flotsam and jetsam is gone. The good news here is that many councils offer several free pickups a year. 

As part of your exit strategy, if you have the budget for it, I’d be inclined to commission the assistance of a cleaner to help return the property to the condition you initially found it in. Typically, your Raine & Horne Property Manager can recommend a cleaner. Better still, going with the Property Manager’s preferred cleaner will give you a much better chance of claiming a bond refund in full. Using a cleaner is also one less job for you when moving house.

Also, be sure to return all the keys and other gadgets such as garage door remotes to the property manager on time, and pay any outstanding rent or invoices. If you take all these steps, there should be no problem in reclaiming your bond in full.

If you need more advice about preparing your home for a final inspection, be sure to talk to your Raine & Horne Property Manager.

Lots of rain coupled with sticky, hot nights and record-breaking humidity created almost the perfect breeding ground for mould. Combating this property pest usually takes a team effort with contributions from tenants and landlords

Mould is a fungal growth, which produces tiny particles called ‘spores.’ If inhaled by people who are sensitive or allergic to spores, health problems may develop. These problems can include a blocked nose, eye and skin irritations, and sometimes wheezing. Occasionally, people may have more severe reactions – for example, mould can trigger asthmatics.

For tenants, when it comes to mould management, your responsibility is two-fold. The first is to let your Raine & Horne Property Manager know of any issues that could contribute to mould and mildew problems. This issue can range from a leaky roof, walls, pipes, and indoor plumbing leaks. There might be issues with the sealing on windows that allows moisture to seep in, while poor ventilation can create mould in bathrooms and kitchens. Once you raise these issues, the Property Manager will organise the appropriate tradespeople to investigate the problems.

Moreover, some properties may be more prone to mould due to the building’s age, structural issues, its location, or the absence of adequate ventilation or extractor fans. The landlord is more likely to be responsible for mould in these circumstances.

Blocked roof gutters can also contribute to mould, especially given the wild weather we experienced in late February and March across significant parts of Australia. As a tenant, you need to report blocked gutters, which is the landlord’s responsibility to clear. If you don’t let the landlord know that gutters are blocked with leaves and other debris, water can overflow and seep into the roof and wall cavities creating perfect mould environments – as well as more expensive structural damage.

The second responsibility for a tenant where mildew is an issue involves to removing any surface mould as best you can as part of the responsibility you take on when you sign a tenancy agreement. There are some environmentally friendly cleaning solutions available that can be used to attack surface mould. Moreover, by using these solutions removing mould and mildew is much safer than before.

If you have any questions about mould and mildew in your rental home, contact your Raine & Horne Property Manager immediately for advice.

How can I warm my rental property this winter without breaking the budget?

With winter fast approaching, the time has arrived to start thinking about efficient and easy ways to keep your rental property warm throughout the winter. These simple hacks are not only better for the environment, but they will make sure you don’t face a hefty electric bill a couple of months down the line.

Keep the thermostat down to keep the heat up

It may seem like you’re going against the grain but keeping the thermostat down a few degrees to the recommended 18- 20°C is a smart way to get you through the winter more efficiently. Having your heating on regularly or all the time on a low heat can not only be a better use of energy, but it’s more effective at keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. It’s also less expensive than switching it on and off for short bursts of heat.

Heat can easily escape through any cracks or gaps, so it’s important to make sure these breaches are sealed off. Door snakes are a great way to stop heat escaping and will only set you back a couple of dollars.

Hidden culprits for consuming heat

While hanging laundry on heaters and radiators can be an easy way to get clothes dried, it can affect your ability to heat your home, and is also a potential fire hazard. To get the most out of your radiators and avoid a blaze, invest in a clothes horse. You'll avoid jeopardising the heat throughout your property and when summer returns, you can easily move the clothes horse outside so your clothes can dry in the sun as well.

Wooden floors may make for great décor, but they’re not great at helping warm your rental property. Floors that aren’t isolated can lose as much as 10% of heat from a home, according to the National Energy Foundation in the UK. Picking up a new rug will help you to keep the heat in and with lots of stylish and reasonably priced options on the market, it is an easy and quick fix to keep you warm during cold winter nights.

Finally, the easiest step you can take this winter is to keep doors shut. Having heating on and doors open throughout the house is a waste of energy and money for that matter. Be sure to keep doors closed where possible and make sure the warmth doesn’t escape.

Remember, if you’re not sure what you’re able to do in your rental property, always check with your Raine & Horne Property Manager first.