Saturday, 20 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Business

Tenants on blacklists written by landlords, managers: 'Can post anything they like'

4 Feb, 2021 04:42 AM4 minutes to read
Tenants have objected to blacklists. Photo / Michael Craig

Tenants have objected to blacklists. Photo / Michael Craig

Anne Gibson
By
Anne Gibson

Property Editor

VIEW PROFILE

A tenant chief says landlords "can post anything they like" on blacklists they share, yet there was no recourse for people who rented properties against such lists.

Penny Arthur, the Christchurch-based manager of the Tenants Protection Association, said more than one blacklist existed and they weren't fair.

"We became aware of it at the end of last year," Arthur said of tenant blacklists.

"There are a number of landlord Facebook groups where landlords can post anything they like about tenants," she said, indicating the tenant might not know nor would be able to object.

Read More

  • Landlords in $180b sector worry: Can tenants paint after next month's law change? - NZ Herald
  • Landlords, tenants must read: wide sweeping tenancy law reform coming next month - NZ Herald
  • What landlords say about bad tenant blacklist after complaints to Privacy Commissioner - NZ Her...

"One has created a list of names, none of which are tenants we know of. But others probably do the same. There is no one single blacklist type central database," she said.

She was reacting to Privacy Commissioner John Edwards saying this week he would focus on the collection, retention and disclosure of information by landlords and property management agencies after his office received a raft of complaints.

Edwards said he was aware of some property management agencies and landlords asking for very detailed information from tenants during selection processes, while others used public forums to compile lists of so-called bad tenants.

Such blacklists lacked transparency and could unfairly keep some tenants out of the market because of inaccuracies, Edwards said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The NZ Property Investors Federation and Real Estate Institute have condemned the lists.

But Andrew King, former Federation executive director, said he could understand why they were being compiled, given next Thursday's big law change in favour of tenants.

Related articles

Business

The down side to life in a supertall tower: Leaks, creaks, breaks

03 Feb 09:34 PM
Business

Landlords on tenant blacklist: Owners' response to Privacy Commissioner

04 Feb 04:30 AM
New Zealand

Landlord privacy crackdown: Spotlight on secret rental 'blacklists'

03 Feb 04:00 PM
Business

Mary Holm: Soft words don't change renters' reality

29 Jan 04:00 PM
Landlord Peter Lewis asked why banks could get more information than people. Photo / Michael Craig
Landlord Peter Lewis asked why banks could get more information than people. Photo / Michael Craig

Landlord Peter Lewis questioned the amount of information banks required from investors compared to what landlords could ask about tenants.

"Perhaps we could make the point that if a bank is deciding to lend you $600,000 cash, they are apparently permitted to ask for and analyse your income and spending history in minute detail," Lewis said.

"But if a landlord is going to lend you a $600,000 property they are not permitted to do so. Why are banks allowed greater powers than individuals?" Lewis asked.

Arthur said a number of database websites allowed landlords to upload notices to their tenants but such lists should not become public records.

She cited a landlord giving a tenant notification that they must tidy the garden, for example.

"This is not information that future landlords should have access to, particularly if the tenant resolves the issue immediately," Arthur said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Australia had a regulated system where landlords lodged certain information but tenants had the opportunity to see that and ask for changes if it was wrong, Arthur said.

"This kind of system has advantages for tenants as it is regulated and can provide the tenant with a database of information that they can use when applying for a tenancy. There is no opportunity for a landlord to include their personal opinion of someone and no unsubstantiated claims," Arthur said.

Renters United spokesperson Robert Whitaker said the lists were deeply worrying.

"Property managers are shortlisting by any mechanism they can. If they have to choose between 20 people, if the name's familiar because they have been seen in this group, they are going to be struck off," Whitaker said.

One property manager said she was a member of a Facebook group for landlords and managers, which listed tenants' details but said she didn't have the time to visit it often.

She raised concerns about tenants who damaged rental properties and indicated it should come as no surprise to that group of people that tabs would be kept on their behaviour and there could be consequences such as a list.

"When you trash someone's property, you don't want to be blacklisted?" the manager said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Business

Business

Shamubeel Eaqub on 'stupid' inflation debate and how he'd fix poverty

19 Aug 06:03 PM
Premium
Business

Steven Joyce: School shake-up needed for the sake of our kids

19 Aug 06:02 PM
Premium
Business

Insider-trading accused distances himself from Eric Watson

19 Aug 05:00 PM
Premium
Business

Mary Holm: I have $50,000 in cash - should I pay down my mortgage or invest?

19 Aug 05:00 PM
Premium
Business

Fran O'Sullivan: Gaurav Sharma affair is a mess — 'reject' that, Ardern

19 Aug 05:00 PM

Most Popular

Live: 'Unbelievable' wild weather - further flooding as heavy rain hits again overnight
New Zealand

Live: 'Unbelievable' wild weather - further flooding as heavy rain hits again overnight

19 Aug 07:25 PM
Wiggles in NZ: Wiggles star reveals life changing hospital encounter
Entertainment

Wiggles in NZ: Wiggles star reveals life changing hospital encounter

19 Aug 06:03 PM
Shamubeel Eaqub on 'stupid' inflation debate and how he'd fix poverty
Business

Shamubeel Eaqub on 'stupid' inflation debate and how he'd fix poverty

19 Aug 06:03 PM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP