What Landlords Need to Know About the 2025 Tenancy Law Changes

Navigating legislation changes can be a minefield. One misstep could lead to expensive and often stressful consequences. That’s where the Glasshouse Property Management team comes in. Our expert property managers in Hamilton and Cambridge will manage and guide you through any changes that come up so you stay compliant and can continue reaping the rewards of your investment property without the stress.

So what are the recent changes and how do they affect your rental property? Read on to find out.

Healthy Homes Standard Final Deadline

The final Healthy Homes Standards deadline is fast approaching, with all private rental properties needing to comply by 1 July 2025. The standards are in place to ensure homes are warmer, drier and healthier for those living in them, something we know is important for both landlords and tenants. We’re here to make this process as simple as possible. We are already helping many of our landlords get their Hamilton rental properties sorted well ahead of time to avoid any last minute stress and potential financial penalties.

Online Bond Lodgement

Starting from 17 December 2024, all tenancy bonds need to be lodged and paid online. What this means for landlords is a smoother, faster process and less printing forms and chasing signatures. Our property managers are up to date with the latest processes, and as with all our property management services, we will take care of all the details and admin.

Ending Periodic Tenancies

From 30 January 2025, landlords can end a periodic tenancy with 90 days’ notice without needing to supply a reason. This is a major shift and gives landlords more flexibility. Tenants, on the other hand, now only need to give 21 days’ notice (down from 28).

A return to 42 days’ termination notice now applies if:

You or a family member plan to move in.
The property has sold and needs to be vacant for the new owner.
The property is needed for an employee (this clause must be written into the tenancy agreement).

If you have any questions or concerns about ending your periodic tenancy, get in touch with one of our property managers.

Fixed-Term Tenancy Changes

Also from 30 January 2025, fixed-term tenancies will automatically roll into periodic agreements unless you or the tenant give notice between 90 and 21 days before the term ends. You won’t need a specific reason to end a fixed-term agreement at its conclusion anymore.

Pet Requests and Bonds

The exact date for this change is still to be confirmed, but the change will make it easier for tenants to have pets, and provides landlords with greater protection against any possible risks.

Tenants will have the right to ask for permission to keep a pet.
Landlords can say no but only on reasonable grounds. A sample list of what is considered ‘reasonable grounds’ can be found HERE.
If you say yes to pets, you’ll be able to ask for a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent, on top of the standard bond.

We’ll be watching this space closely and will keep you updated as soon as a start date is announced. Our property managers will be able to walk you through the process and our tenant screening process remains as robust as ever.

Further Technical Tweaks

From 20 March 2025, minor and technical changes have come into effect. These include:

Landlords can prohibit smoking inside the property.
The Tenancy Tribunal can now make decisions on certain matters based on written submissions, reducing the need for in-person hearings and saving everyone time.
Electronic communications will be allowed as long as a physical address is still provided.

We’re Here To Support You

We know legislation updates can feel overwhelming and sometimes even confusing. That’s why we make it our business to stay across the details so you can relax and enjoy the benefits of owning an investment property.

Our team will:

Lodge bonds, update agreements, and manage communication all in line with the new rules.
Handle terminations and renewals with the right notices at the right time.
Advise on pet requests and manage pet bonds if needed.
Keep your documentation processes compliant, safe, clear, and stress-free.

So, while tenancy laws shift and evolve, we’ve got the details covered. Just hand us the keys and we will take care of the rest. Keep an eye on our insights page for the latest updates on all things property management so you can stay ahead.

Still have questions? Get in touch with the Glasshouse team today.