Point Property joins call for property management regulation

"Regulation would give our industry greater respect - for our property managers, property owners and our tenants".

Pressure is being put on the Government to regulate the property management industry.  With more and more New Zealanders renting - especially in the main centres - and with the increased obligations for landlords under the ever-evolving Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), to not have property management under regulation seems incongruous at best.

Point Property Management, as a long-standing member of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), is proud to support their campaign for industry regulation, 'A Call for Change:  Better Property Management'.  With the 2020 Election announced for September 19, there is now a great opportunity to raise this issue for greater awareness and public debate.

Point Property Operations Director, Louise Tanner, has long been an advocate for regulation.  "There has always been a rogue element which has been a stain on our industry.  Property Management is intrinsically about people's homes and lives - and this needs to be given the full support and weight of legislation.  Regulation is long overdue - and would give our industry greater respect - for our property managers, property owners and our tenants".

Currently the Government has indicated it may look into this issue further - after the election.  Associate Housing minister Kris Faafoi has cited the need to attend to 'other priorities' in housing policy - presumably the further proposed changes to the RTA.  However, the REINZ points out that regulation of property managers would also serve to protect tenants - as well as tidying up vagueries in current law about the role and responsibilities of property managers.

Specifically, the 'Call for Change:  Better Property Management' campaign advocates:

• Property Managers to have a minimum level of education (such as the NZ Certificate in Residential Property Management).
• The requirement for property managers to remain up-to-date with changing legislation and take part in ongoing training.
• Ensuring all tenant and landlord funds are kept in a trust account.
• Ensuring property managers hold the correct insurance.
• Property Managers be registered with a professional body and adhere to a code of conduct, to which sanctions for non-adherence will apply.

To read the complete REINZ A Call For Change Information Paper click here.

Point Property Management already adheres to all of these recommended guidelines - with all finances secure in a trust account, and all property managers either already certified or currently in training.

The responsibility to care for your property (whether it's your investment property as an owner, or your home as a tenant) is a privilege we do not take lightly.   Therefore we join the call for regulation - and for it to be considered worthy as an issue for the upcoming Election.