Call to license property managers

The Government must protect renters and landlords by forcing rogue property managers to become licensed and accredited, say leading real estate agents, industry insiders and lobbyists.

The 26 organisations — including Real Estate Institute NZ, Barfoot and Thompson, leading property managers association and lobby group Anglican Advocacy — said the issue was so important they had united to seek action.

They today presented an open letter to Housing Minister Phil Twyford, calling on him to introduce laws to regulate property managers by next year.

Twyford said he shared concerns about the sector but would only act after the Government finished introducing higher-priority laws to protect tenants.

However, Anglican Advocacy director Joylon White hoped reforms came quickly. Property managers delivered an important service as an intermediary between landlords and renters, but rogue operators had increasingly brought the industry into disrepute, he said.

A recent report by Anglican Advocacy compiled dozens of accounts from tenants and landlords about negligence and dishonesty by property managers.

Twyford said he had listened to concerns over the behaviour of some property managers but currently had a “full programme” of reforms aimed at improving the lives of renters.