Skip to main content

Residential Tenancies Act 1986 – current version available on Westlaw NZ

/
Content updates

The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 was amended by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020, with several effective dates. The current version is now available on Westlaw NZ.

Changes that came into force on 11 February 2021 included security of tenure for periodic tenancies, converting fixed term to periodic tenancies, prohibition on rental bidding, name suppression for Tenancy Tribunal decisions, assignment of tenancies, and increased jurisdiction for Tenancy Tribunal.

Amended sections

The 11 February 2021 amendments applied to the following sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986:

  • Sections 2, 5, 7, 13, 13A, 15, 16, 16A, 17, 17A, 18, 18A, 19, 22F, 22G, 23, 29, 30, 42, 42A, 42B, 43A-43C, 44, 44A, 45, 45B, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 53A, 53B, 55, 55A, 55B, 60AA, 60A, 60B, 61, 63, 64, 66A, 66I, 66J, 66T, 77, 86, 90, 95, 95A, 108, 109, 109A, 109B-109E, 110, 111A, 114, 115B, 123, 123A, 123D, 124, 124A, 124B, 126A-126R, 133, 136, 137A
  • Schedules 1A, 1B

The sections of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 that came into force on 11 February 2021 were all or parts of:

  • Sections 4-18, 20-36, 38, 40-54, 56-73, 79, 80, 81

 

Future amendments

A smaller number of amendments will come into force on 11 August 2021. Those changes are displayed as ‘future amendments’ in the relevant sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

The following sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 will be amended from that date:

  • Sections 50, 55AA, 56B-56E, 77, 95, 95A, 96, 136
  • Schedule 1A

The sections of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 that will come into force on that date are:

  • Sections 31, 37, 39, 50, 53, 54, 55, 72, 79

Commentary updates

The commentary in Land Law – Residential Tenancies has been updated to reflect these legislative changes. Please see What’s New for more details.

Related Support Articles

Speak to a consultant

Can't find an answer to your question?
Contact our support team.

Request training

Contact our team to arrange training.

Tell us what you think

We'd love to hear what you think
of our products and support.