Prime Property Group is standing by the manager who allowed tenants to live in a commercial building on Molesworth St in Wellington, which is now being demolished after last week's quake.
But the company admits allowing them to live there was wrong.
A Prime Property spokesman said the company believed its property manager had done everything in his power to assist the Mape family.
After last week's quake the family was relocated to another property and then provided accommodation at the St George Hotel.
The spokesman said the accommodation at 61 Molesworth St was meant to be temporary, but when the Mapes' situation remained unresolved and they refused to move out, they were given notice to vacate in October
The company offered the family the accommodation at Molesworth St after their other residence sustained water damage.
The company admitted what it did was wrong but is standing by its property manager who made the deal.