SEASONAL GREETINGS AND OFFICE
CLOSURE
We wish you a Merry Xmas, We wish you a Merry Xmas, We
wish you a Merry Xmas
And a Happy New Year
The office will be closed from Saturday 1st January
2011 to Wednesday 12th January 2011.
THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT-
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Here are some of the rights and resposibilities for
Landlords and Tenants as detained in the Residential Tenancies Act:
Rent
- Landlords cannot ask for rent to be paid more than 2 weeks in
advance
- Sixty days written notice must be given for rent increases
- Rent must not be increased within 180 days of the start of the
tenancy or the last rent increase
- Receipts must be given immediately if rent is paid in cash
- If rent has been reduced, a return to normal rent is not considered
an increase
Bond
- A landlord may require a bond of up to 4 weeks rent
- Bonds must be lodged with Department of Building and Housing within
23 working days
- Receipts must be given for bond monies
- If the property is sold, the landlords bond rights pass on to the
purchaser
- The bond covers damage or loss to the landlord if the tenant's
obligations are not met, but does not cover fair wear and tear
Landlords Must
- Provide and maintain the premises in a
reasonable condition
- Allow the tenant quite enjoyment of
the premises
- Comply with all relevant building,
health and safety standards
- Not seize goods for any reason
- Let tenants know if the property is
for sale
- Give 90 days written notice of
tenancy termination or 42 days if there is an unconditional agreement to
sell with vacant possession or the premises are needed for the owner or
a member of his/ her family
- Appoint an agent if they are out of
the country for more than 3 weeks
Tenants Must
- Pay rent on time
- Keep the premises reasonably clean and tidy
and notify the landlord of any necessary repairs
- Use the premises mainly for residential
purposes
- Pay for consumables such as electricity, gas
, telephone charges and metered water
- Leave the property clean, tidy and clear of
rubbish and possessions, leave all chattels, and leave all keys with the
landlord at the end of the tenancy
- Give 21 days notice to terminate the tenancy
Tenants Must Not
- Damage or permit damage to the premises
- Disturb neighbours or other tenants
- Alter the premises without written consent
- Use the property for any unlawful purposes
Rights of Entry
The landlord must enter the premises only:
- With the tenant's consent
- In an emergency
- After 24 hours notice for repairs and
maintenance, between 8am and 7pm
- After 48 hours notice for an inspection
- To show premises to respective tenants or
purchasers or associated prrofessionals with the tenant's prior consent
UNCLAIMED MONIES
Inland Revenue Department provide a list of owners of unclaimed money left
untouched for six or more years in businesses such as financial institutions
and insurance companies.
Unclaimed money is not income tax refunds or any other
unpaid tax refunds. Under the Unclaimed Monies Act 1971, funds left
untouched for more than six years are required to be paid to IRD.
Most unclaimed money is from deposits left in banks and other financial
institutions. It includes insurance proceeds, cheques and wages.
In October 2010 IRD had 18,498 names on this list, who were owed a total
of $17,310,553. The sums involved range from just over $100 to several
thousand dollars.
If you think you might be entitled to unclaimed money send IRD your
name, address, IRD number and proof of identity, eg, a copy of a birth
certificate, driver's licence or passport, by email to unclaimed.monies@ird.govt.nz
or by mail to:
- Unclaimed Money
Inland Revenue
PO Box 38222
Wellington Mail Centre 5045
View the list of
unclaimed monies
STUDENT LOAN VOLUNTARY BONUS
Find
out more about the bonus.
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PORTABILITY WITH
AUSTRALIA
Australian legislation relating to this may not be finalised until 2011.
The NZ Government have amended the Income Tax Act 2007 to allow a person who has
retirement savings in both Australia and New Zealand to consolidate those
savings into one account in their country of residence.
KiwiSaver members who permanently emigrate to Australia will be able to
transfer their KiwiSaver funds, including all Government contributions, to
an approved Australian superannuation scheme. They'll no longer be able to
withdraw their savings after one year when emigrating to Australia.
Members of an approved Australian superannuation scheme who are eligible
to join KiwiSaver will be able to transfer their Australian funds to a
KiwiSaver scheme. This will mean that New Zealanders who have worked in
Australia in the past and have superannuation funds there, will be able to
repatriate the money to New Zealand if they join the New Zealand KiwiSaver
scheme.
The rules that apply to the host scheme provider will continue to apply
to the funds that are transferred. In other words, funds transferred to
Australia will continue to be subject to the withdrawal rules under the
KiwiSaver Act 2006. Funds transferred from Australia to KiwiSaver will be
subject to the Australian rules for withdrawal.
