March 2025
Reading Time: 3 Minutes
The call for regulation in the residential property management market has been gaining momentum, fuelled by a series of high-profile cases in the media. At Crockers, we support regulation as a vital step to protect both landlords and tenants, set clear expectations, and ensure professionalism in the industry.
In one case, several landlords fear they may never recover over $70,000 in allegedly unpaid rent after an Auckland property management company was placed into liquidation. In the high-profile case, Haven Living Management promised to repay landlords the owed money, but the company has been placed into liquidation following a High Court action.
Other recently reported cases include a property manager being investigated for pocketing tenants' rent and bond money and another management company failing to complete thorough checks on tenants who subsequently caused damage to the property.
While tenants already have the Tenancy Tribunal as an avenue for resolving disputes, landlords have very few formal avenues when a property manager fails to meet their contractual obligations, which can have serious financial consequences given that their rental property is often their largest asset.
Both landlords and tenants stand to benefit from regulation, which would require property managers to undergo more comprehensive training and establish stronger industry oversight to eliminate poorly performing operators. This could also reduce the number of Tribunal hearings, as experienced and qualified property managers are far less likely to become involved in disputes compared with private landlords or operators with less oversight.
By introducing regulation, improving training, and ensuring effective industry oversight, we could expect to see a higher standard of service in the years ahead, benefitting both landlords and tenants.
Crockers has been managing Auckland rentals for decades, offering a deep understanding of both the properties we manage and the laws governing them. This long-standing experience has earned us a trusted reputation for reliable, professional service.
We carefully vet potential tenants through specialist systems not available to the public, performing more than 20 different background checks. These checks cover everything from credit histories to justice ministry records, ensuring that only the most qualified tenants are selected for your property.
Having an experienced property manager makes a difference - professional property managers are far less likely to face disputes than private landlords.
Read more: Why Pay a Property Manager?
Crockers believes that residential property management should be regulated in New Zealand to ensure better protection for landlords and tenants. Regulation would set clear expectations and minimum standards, holding property managers accountable and ensuring professionalism across the industry. We support efforts to introduce legislation that upholds these standards.
Find out more about how a Crockers Property Manager can help you or request a Property Management information pack here.
What makes our property managers different is the knowledge gained from years of experience, practical ability backed up by a seasoned team and a true commitment to looking after your place.
Call 0800 CROCKERS or Call 0800 2762 5377
