Compensating repairs
Question from logan updated on 22nd July 2020:
The property manager and the tenants have signed the bond return form and the bond has been returned. But I have just found out that the property manger didn't include the invoices for a repair that was done. Can we go to the tenants and ask them to pay it or is it to late? Also, if the tenants are going to be paying for a repair do they get to pick who completes the repair?
Our expert Bernard Parker responded:
You can ask the tenants for compensation for the repairs that you complete, even though the bond may have been settled by the property manager. The repairs must be related to damage caused by the tenants (either intentionally or carelessly).
Once the bond has been released it may be difficult to get your tenants to agree to pay for the necessary repairs. In that case you may choose to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to resolve the dispute.
After the end of the tenancy the landlord can get the repairs done without referring them to the tenant. The tenant is required to hand the property back “reasonably clean and tidy” at end of tenancy, and has no preferential right to complete repairs after that date.
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.Search the Ask an Expert archive
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