Arranging landlord access
Question from Cassandra updated on 28th June 2019:
The house we rent is under property management and the landlord has decided that she wants to come in and collect her stuff that is still here. (This is four months after we moved in. We've also been feeding her cats which she hasn't bothered taking and has no intention of taking.) Do we have to allow this if it doesn't suit us? We are out of town the weekend that she wants to do it and we don't want her going through our shed without us here.
Our expert Bernard Parker responded:
Your property manager is the agent of the landlord and has taken over the role of landlord. The owner thereby takes a back seat and relinquishes the role of landlord. For this reason she cannot simply give you notice and let herself into the property. Nevertheless, she is entitled to make arrangements with you so that she can collect her possessions. She must make reasonable arrangements with you for access. I suggest you talk to the owner and try to make a time that is suitable for both of you.
Bernard is principal of Quinovic – Kapiti-Mana. Quinovic's outstanding people and systems provide the most professional, effective and reliable residential property management service in the NZ market for over 30 years.