What changed in tenancy law in 2025 and 2026?
Tenancy law changes in 2025 and 2026 brought back 90 day notice with no reason given, allowed notices by email, set new pet rules and set meth contamination levels. Here is each change with its date.
18 December 2024
Bonds no longer need signatures to be lodged, and bonds can no longer be sent in by email or post.
30 January 2025
A landlord can end a periodic tenancy with 90 days' notice and no reason given, or with 42 days' notice on specific grounds. A fixed term becomes a periodic tenancy when it ends, unless notice is given between 90 and 21 days before the end. See how much notice a landlord must give.
20 March 2025
Notices can be served to an email address the person has given. The rules on smoking bans were made clearer, and family violence protections were widened to include dependants.
1 December 2025
A landlord can refuse a pet only on reasonable grounds, and can ask for a pet bond of up to two weeks' rent. Disability assist dogs need no consent and no pet bond. See when a landlord can refuse a pet.
16 April 2026
New rules on methamphetamine contamination. A home is contaminated at 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, and uninhabitable at 30, which allows shorter notice in some cases.
Source: Tenancy Services, Tenancy law changes. Checked 2 October 2026. Rules change, so check the current position with Tenancy Services before relying on this.
More landlord questions.
- How much notice does a landlord have to give in NZ?90 days with no reason, or 42 days on three grounds.
- Can a landlord refuse a pet in NZ?Only on reasonable grounds, with an answer due within 21 days.
- Do property managers need to be registered in NZ?Not yet. A system was announced in March 2026 but is not law.
- All landlord questionsEvery question, grouped by topic.