Episode 133: Kiwi Landlording in New Zealand with Canadian Makayla Edwards-Russell
Summary
One of the simplest mistakes new landlords make is assuming that the rules for THEIR area are the rules for EVERY area. This is simply not true, not in the slightest. Many states, provinces, territories have different codes or acts governing tenancy or providing housing to folks. In fact, in many places, even more specific cities, counties, regional districts, or parishes require registrations, licensing, periodic inspections or all of the above. My guest today lives in Auckland, New Zealand, but grew up in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. Makayla Edwards-Russell and I compare housing laws between New Zealand and Canada, confirming that you should never assume the housing rules for your area are not the same for every area.
This episode includes resources for New Zealand including:
· The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 Residential Tenancies Act 1986 No 120 (as at 18 December 2024), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation
· Tenancy Services by the Government of New Zealand: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/
Listen to the full episode :
This Week’s Blog Post:
From Powell River to Auckland
Hello everyone! I’m Dr. Jen, and I’m excited to welcome you to another international episode of My Life as a Landlord. Today’s conversation takes us all the way to New Zealand where I’m chatting with Canadian-born Makayla Edwards-Russell. Originally from Powell River, BC—my hometown too—Makayla now lives in Auckland with her Kiwi husband and works in the financial services industry. Her journey from BC to New Zealand is a great example of how unexpected paths can lead to rich new experiences, both in life and real estate.
How New Zealand Approaches Tenancy
Makayla and I explored the structure of renting in New Zealand, and there were some fascinating differences compared to what we’re used to in North America. One of the biggest surprises for me was that most rent in New Zealand is paid weekly, not monthly. Additionally, the use of property managers is incredibly common—much more so than in BC—creating a more hands-off experience for landlords. The tenancy system is supported by a strong third-party framework, including the Tenancy Tribunal and Tenancy Services, which hold bond money and manage disputes in a transparent, centralized way.
Healthy Homes and Tenant Protections
I was especially impressed by New Zealand’s Healthy Homes initiative. With older housing stock and a damp climate, the government has placed strong emphasis on insulation and heating standards to protect tenant health. These regulations are part of a larger set of tools, including market rent calculators and standardized forms, that support both tenants and landlords in navigating tenancy clearly and fairly. It’s a level of transparency I think we could all learn from!
Navigating Tenancy Endings and Legal Gaps
We also discussed some of the challenges landlords may face at the end of a tenancy. For instance, while fixed-term leases automatically convert to month-to-month (similar to BC), issues can arise when tenants abandon their unit without notice. Makayla shared a story about a landlord who couldn’t evict a tenant that had been imprisoned—demonstrating how gray areas in legislation can still create loss and confusion. Still, the Tenancy Services in New Zealand help guide both parties through these situations in a clear and structured manner.
Final Thoughts from Across the Globe
As we wrapped up our conversation, Makayla offered a beautiful reminder: if you’re feeling stagnant, take a leap. Explore new places, start over, and embrace change. That advice resonates deeply—especially for those of us whose real estate journeys have taken us across countries and continents. Today, I’m recording this episode from Southport, Queensland, Australia. Why? Because real estate takes you places. Where do you want real estate to take you?
Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to check out Makayla’s podcast, Checks and Balances, and visit Lighthouse Financial NZ for more resources. I’ll see you next week for Episode 134, where we head into Australian real estate with Andrew Gilbert.