The Reserve Bank Governor said that given the weaker global economic outlook and the risk of ongoing subdued domestic growth, a lower OCR may be needed over time to continue to meet our objectives. 26-06-2019 more >>
Officials believe a third of all rental homes won't be insulated in time for the deadline next week. However preliminary results from a NZ Property Investors Federation (NZPIF) survey show that the real number of properties which are unlikely to meet the deadline is likely to be a lot lower. 25-06-2019 more >>
Landscaping supplies can cost you an arm, and a leg as well as your patience. Adding up the price of plants, the time deciding which plants are right for the environment, not to mention the to-ing and fro-ing, loading and off-loading – well, it can leave more than your budget broken. So, we were pleasantly surprised when we discovered there’s something like flat pack furniture, but for the outdoors. In short, it’s a complete (and affordable) plants package that provides you with what you need to create an entire garden, including plants, shrubbery, flowers and trees. 20-06-2019 more >>
As many of you will know, The Privacy Commission recently decided to design and publish what landlords could and couldn’t ask prospective tenants when looking to let out a property. Despite being just guidelines, it is likely that the Tenancy Tribunal would give the Commission’s ideas considerable standing. 19-06-2019 more >>
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has called for Government to remove the Accommodation Supplement (AS) and significantly raise the incomes of all benefit recipients and low-wage workers. “CPAG claims that the AS keeps rental prices high however their own report disproves this†said Andrew King, Executive Officer of the NZ Property Investors’ Federation (NZPIF). 11-06-2019 more >>
The Government’s announcement that they are not going to introduce a Capital Gains Tax (GCT) was very welcome. It is disappointing, however, that they are being attacked for their sensible decision. 19-05-2019 more >>
The final healthy homes standards were announced on 13 May and are now available on the New Zealand Legislation website. The standards set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties and will be law from 1 July 2019. 13-05-2019 more >>
The Monetary Policy Committee decided a lower OCR is necessary to support the outlook for employment and inflation consistent with its policy remit. 08-05-2019 more >>
"The NZ Property Investors' Federation (NZPIF) applauds the decision not to introduce a capital gains tax" said Andrew King, Executive Officer of the NZPIF. "This tax would have no effect on the housing market except to make rentals more expensive. This would be unfair on tenants". 17-04-2019 more >>
The Tax Working Group has released their report and as expected it is a comprehensive (except for the family home) Capital Gains Tax. 01-04-2019 more >>
In the Friday, 29 March Herald, Dominick Stephens said "property is more lightly taxed than other forms of investment". He quoted a Treasury and Inland Revenue report to back up his claim. That report was also used by the Tax Working Group. However economist Bevan Wallace found serious errors in the report and showed that the conclusion that rental property is undertaxed was wrong. 01-04-2019 more >>
The Official Cash Rate (OCR) remains at 1.75 percent. Given the weaker global economic outlook and reduced momentum in domestic spending, the more likely direction of our next OCR move is down. 27-03-2019 more >>
Unfortunately I am having to write this just before the Tax Working Group recommendations are released, which is a shame. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) there are many topics affecting our industry which I can write about. 09-03-2019 more >>
The latest Consumer Institute cost of living survey shows that general costs in providing rental property have increased faster than rental prices. In addition, wage increases were 66% higher than rental price increases. 04-03-2019 more >>
Today the Minister of Housing announced that rentals which will require a minimum standard for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage by 2024. 24-02-2019 more >>
House price expectations slipped again, according to the latest ASB Housing Confidence Survey – though the decline was less dramatic than in the October quarter. 15-02-2019 more >>
Reserve Bank Governor says we expect to keep the OCR at this level through 2019 and 2020. He adds that the direction of our next OCR move could be up or down. 14-02-2019 more >>
The start of a new year is a good time to take stock of what is happening with your investments. Think of it like a wellness health check. 10-02-2019 more >>
Last year ended with the disappointing news that ring-fencing of rental property losses would no longer be permitted, despite it being available to all other forms of tax losses. Along with the Bright Line Test, this is another tax change which will only apply to rental property. 09-01-2019 more >>
