Buying guide
Boarding houses: Everything landlords & tenants need to know
Including boarding house tenancy agreements
AI summary
A boarding house is a property with at least six tenants renting rooms for 28 days or more, with shared facilities. These tenancies have specific rules under New Zealand law.
A written boarding house tenancy agreement is mandatory, and properties must comply with Healthy Homes standards. Key rules for landlords and tenants include:
- Bonds are capped at four weeks' rent.
- Rent increases require 28 days' notice.
- Landlords need 24 hours' notice to inspect a tenant's private room.
Landlords must also ensure the property is secure and has working smoke alarms.
What is a boarding house?
Boarding house tenancy agreements
Boarding house laws
They must be Healthy Homes compliant
Boarding houses have similiar rules as normal residential tenances with a few key differences.
Boarding house landlords can charge bonds
Rent can be increased
Rules should be clearly communicated
Maintenance and inspection rules must be followed
Landlords can set rules for boarding houses as long as they don't contradict the Residential Tenancies Act.
Other boarding house rules
If there’s a dispute
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