Reduce the risk of exemplary fines: Unlawful Landlord actions

by Carrie Metcalfe on Sep 06, 2024
Article appears under: iRentProperty

There are harsh penalties for landlords who commit unlawful acts, and unfortunately, many uneducated property owners may not even realize they've done something wrong until they find themselves facing an adjudicator or mediator in the Tenancy Tribunal. At iRentProperty, we take pride in being well-versed in the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act and other relevant legislation that governs tenancies.

Our clients can rest easy knowing that their landlord obligations are being met with precision and care. By partnering with iRentProperty, you significantly reduce the risk of committing an unlawful act, which means the chances of facing exemplary fines are also minimized. We handle the complexities of tenancy law, ensuring that your investment is protected and that your tenancy runs smoothly from start to finish.

Here's five unlawful acts that landlords might unknowingly commit and the corresponding fines they could face:

1. Failing to Lodge the Bond: $1500

Landlords are required to lodge the tenant's bond with the relevant bond authority within the specified timeframe, typically 23 working days.

2. Entering the Property Without Proper Notice: $1500

Landlords must provide tenants with proper notice (usually 48 hours) before entering the property, except in emergencies.

3. Issuing an Unlawful Rent Increase: $1500

Rent increases must follow the rules set out in the Residential Tenancies Act, including proper notice and frequency limits.

4. Failing to include required information in the tenancy agreement: $750

Landlords are mandated to include certain information relating to healthy homes, smoke alarms and insurance in their tenancy agreements. Our recommendation is to let us arrange a third-party report on smoke alarms and healthy home compliance to back up the information in the tenancy agreement.

5. Unlawful Discrimination: $6500

Contravention of the Humans Rights Act when granting a tenancy. Asking potential tenants about their employment status or how many children they have could land a landlord in hot water.

These fines serve as a strong reminder of the importance of compliance with tenancy laws. At iRentProperty, we ensure that landlords are fully informed and compliant, significantly reducing the risk of facing these penalties.