Renting after redundancy: arrears, landlord talks and your rights

Step one: talk to your landlord early

Landlords generally want rent paid and a reliable tenant more than they want an empty house. Contact them before you're behind, explain what's happened, and make a specific offer. Tenancy Services recommends tenants contact the landlord immediately, pay whatever they can straight away and record any agreement.

How rent arrears processes work

The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 sets rules landlords must follow. In summary, as per Tenancy Services' overdue rent page (updated April 2026; check tenancy.govt.nz for the current detail):

• 14-day notice to remedy: a landlord can give this when rent is overdue and the tenant owes less than 21 days' rent. It must state the arrears accurately and give at least 14 days to pay. If you pay (or arrange payment) in time, the arrears are cleared. Tribunal orders have thrown out applications where the notice had the wrong arrears figure.
• Overdue rent notices (periodic tenancies): if rent is at least 5 working days late on three separate occasions within 90 days, and the landlord gave a written notice each time, they can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to end the tenancy. They must apply within 28 days of the third notice. Each notice must say the amount overdue, the dates, your right to challenge it, and how many notices you've had in the 90 days. You can challenge the notices at the Tribunal.
• 21 days: a landlord can apply to the Tribunal to end a tenancy (under section 55 of the Residential Tenancies Act) where rent has been unpaid for 21 days.
• Only the Tenancy Tribunal can order you out. A landlord can't change the locks, remove your belongings or cut services; that's illegal and you can claim compensation.

Help to pay rent

• Accommodation Supplement: for people who rent, board or have a mortgage; you don't need to be on a benefit. As at 2026 the supplement is assessed on rent, income, cash assets and area. The cash asset limit for a single person is $8,100 (couples $16,200); check current rates.
• Temporary Additional Support (up to 13 weeks at a time) for people whose essential costs exceed income.
• Special Needs Grant or Advance payments for one-off needs (bond, moving costs). Ask Work and Income about options; check current rules.
• Ask your landlord whether you can move to a cheaper unit they own, break the lease early by agreement, or take a flatmate.

Flatmates, boarders and sublets

• Check your tenancy agreement before taking flatmates. Sub-letting generally needs the landlord's written consent, which can't be unreasonably withheld in many cases; ask for it in writing.
• A flatmate who has an agreement with you (not the landlord) is usually outside the Residential Tenancies Act. Put a simple written agreement in place: rent, bills, notice period, bond.
• Boarding houses have their own rules, including different notice periods and house-rules requirements. Look up the current rules on tenancy.govt.nz, because they differ from ordinary tenancies.
• Renting a room in the owner's house is different from tenancy; get advice from Tenancy Services or a Community Law centre if unsure of your status.

Mediation and the Tenancy Tribunal

Tenancy Services provides free mediation, usually quicker and less adversarial than a Tribunal hearing. If that fails, either party can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal (a District Court-level body for tenancy disputes, with fees to apply). Tenancy Services' information line is 0800 83 62 62 (0800 TENANCY), 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays. If you're facing eviction, contact a Community Law centre or tenancy advocacy service for free advice.