Demystifying Health & Safety

The term 'health and safety' features frequently in the media these days. Find out more on July 4. As Landlords we have a responsibility to our tenants and tradespeople and ourselves to operate a healthy and safe rental property environment. Scott Weatherall is a common sense Health and Safety Consultant. His philosophy is not about stopping kiwis having fun its about doing it safely. If you have any specific Health & safety related issues you want answers to - please email opia@opia.org.nz and we will pass them on to Scott ahead of the event.
04-07-2017 more >>

Finding a value for sunshine

It is a truth commonly acknowledged that a house that gets more exposure to sunlight is more attractive, especially in ‘temperate’ climates like New Zealand’s. Until now, however, the value of that sunshine has not been calculated.
29-06-2017 more >>

New meth contamination and testing standard

New Zealanders will be able to better manage the risks of methamphetamine in residential properties following the release of a new standard, Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean say.
29-06-2017 more >>

New NZ Standard for meth contamination released today

The NZ Property Investors' Federation is very pleased to see the release of the NZ Standard for meth contamination today” said Andrew King, executive officer
29-06-2017 more >>

Your Roof your Plumbing and your Rental

With all this rain is your roof still waterproof? Warren Macnee of Promax Roofing has lots to share - different roof coatings and options, ways to make sure your rental property and its roof stays protected for longer. Duane Pleace is an OPIA member and plumber. He is to speak about his property and plumbing related experiences. If you have any plumbing related questions for Duane please email opia@opia.org.nz and he will answer them.
29-06-2017 more >>

Insulation grants extended till end of June 2018

The Government has extended the eligibility for Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes insulation grants to include low-income home owners in addition to landlords with low-income or high health need tenants, Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins says. Warm Up New Zealand programme extended until the end of June 2018.
28-06-2017 more >>

OCR remains unchanged at 1.75 percent

The Reserve Bank today left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 1.75 percent. Global economic growth has increased and become more broad-based.  However, major challenges remain with on-going surplus capacity and extensive political uncertainty.
23-06-2017 more >>

Seminars for landlords and tenants

Renting seminars are returning in 2017 to help landlords and tenants better understand changes to tenancy laws and how to put them into practice.
21-06-2017 more >>

NZPIF is very pleased to announce a new business partnership - with GForce We Install

G-Force We Install specialises in providing a nationwide insulation and smoke alarm assessment, supply and installation service for rental property owners and managers to ensure that their properties meet the new requirements of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA).
19-06-2017 more >>

Cladding rule changes make NZ high-rises safer

New Zealand is less exposed to the risks of fire as a result of combustible claddings on high-rise buildings due to these products being restricted earlier this year, Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith says.
16-06-2017 more >>

OPIA Office closed

The OPIA Office will be closed on Wednesday 14th June Thursday 15th June If you need any help, support, information, smoke alarms or tenancy agreements Please email the OPIA on opia@opia.org.nz or leave an answerphone message on 03 4776220 and The President will get back to you within approx. 24 hours. If you can be on call to help cover office opening times please email The President on opia@opia.org.nz Thank you
15-06-2017 more >>

Avoid being scammed

The TINZ stress test for tenant checks is better than ever
15-06-2017 more >>

43rd AGM 2017 & Speaker Andrew Bruce - property investor

43rd Annual General Meeting of the OPIA is to be held on the 13th of June 2017 at Forbury Park. Starting at 7.30 pm. Come along and hear Auckland Property Investors' President Andrew Bruce. Andrew began property investing in 1996 and balances cash flow and capital gain properties. He holds Auckland houses and apartments, property in Hamilton and Rotorua. A supporter of owning property as it is tangible asset and you can add value to it. To balance and de-stress his life Andrew plays sports, completed the Taupo iron man, and has adventure cycled around Asia including 1200 km journey in Tibet and up to Everest base camp.
13-06-2017 more >>

Minister welcomes DTI consultation

Finance Minister Steven Joyce has today welcomed the release of the Reserve Bank's consultation document on the use of Debt to Income ratios for mortgage borrowers as an additional macro-prudential tool.
10-06-2017 more >>

Reserve Bank publishes consultation on debt to income (DTI) limits

The Reserve Bank today published a consultation paper seeking feedback on serviceability restrictions such as debt to income (DTI) limits being added to its macro prudential toolkit.
09-06-2017 more >>

Labour's tax policy 2

In the April I wrote about Labour confirming they would remove the ability to deduct tax losses from property against other forms of income. Unfortunately they recently made it official at their annual conference.
09-06-2017 more >>

NZ's financial system is sound but continues to face risks

New Zealand’s financial system remains sound and the risks facing the system have reduced in the past six months, Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler said today when releasing the Bank’s May Financial Stability Report.
31-05-2017 more >>

What does the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (2) mean for property investors?

Andrew King takes you through the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2) introduced to Parliament on 23 May 2017 for its first reading.
26-05-2017 more >>

Increase will benefit low income families

The NZ Property Investors' Federation (NZPIF) congratulates the Salvation Army for their advocacy work that has seen the accommodation allowance increase for low income families.
25-05-2017 more >>

Delivering for New Zealanders

Budget 2017 is delivering for New Zealanders with significant investments in public services and infrastructure, and a Family Incomes Package that will help them get ahead, Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.
25-05-2017 more >>

Double glazing alternatives

Want to provide a warm home for your tenants? Can't afford double glazing? There are other just as efficient and more cost effective alternatives. Come along and hear Raymond Dorsey from Mactrac Mactrac also have a range of shower and curtain tracks, blinds, hand rails and lots more.
25-05-2017 more >>

RTA Amendment provides protections and clarity for tenants and landlords

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No. 2) introduced to Parliament today will provide better protections and clarity for tenants and landlords, Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith says.
23-05-2017 more >>

Tenants' liability for damage

“The NZ Property Investors' Federation is pleased that Government is taking action to remedy the situation of tenants not being responsible for damage they accidently cause in rental properties,” says Andrew King, Executive Officer of the NZPIF
23-05-2017 more >>

What are the consequences of meth in rental properties?

The consequences of meth in rental properties have been escalating over the last few years. Fortunately it isn't the actual health consequences of meth in rentals (except for those actually consuming the stuff) but uninformed fear of what meth residue can do and the potential for highly expensive remediation if it is discovered in your rental.
22-05-2017 more >>

Government to build 34,000 new houses for Auckland

The Government today has announced a Crown land and building programme that will see tens of thousands of new houses built in Auckland over the next decade.
16-05-2017 more >>