Under section 16A of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, if you are a landlord managing your own property or properties and you plan to be out of the country for more than 21 consecutive days, you must appoint an agent before you leave. And if you find yourself unexpectedly out of the country for longer than 21 consecutive days, you must immediately appoint an agent. The appointed agent must be in New Zealand and will have all the rights and obligations that the landlord has under the Act.

Appointing an agent

Once you have an agent, you must advise:

• your tenants, and

• the Bond Centre.

You must give your tenants the agent’s name and contact details, which should include at least a mobile phone number and email address if the agent has these.

It’s easy if you use a property manager

When you use Nightingales to look after your rental properties, none of this necessary. We manage your properties 24/7 for 52 weeks of the year. There is no issue with regard to being out of the country – we are always­ here looking after your properties. ­So you can take those overseas trips with the full knowledge that your properties are in safe and capable hands.