Rent increase (New Zealand)
An increase in the rent charged under a New Zealand residential tenancy. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, rent can only be increased once every 12 months and requires at least 60 days' written notice to the tenant.
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 limits how often a New Zealand landlord can raise rent on a residential tenancy. Rent can be increased no more than once in any 12-month period, and the landlord must give the tenant at least 60 days’ written notice before the new rent takes effect. The notice must state the amount of the new rent and the date it applies from.
During a fixed-term tenancy, rent can only be increased if the tenancy agreement expressly allows it and the above 12-month / 60-day rules are still met. In periodic tenancies, the 12-month clock runs from the last rent increase (or the start of the tenancy, if there hasn’t been one).
A tenant who believes a rent increase is “substantially above market rent” can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to have it reviewed. The Tribunal can order the rent reduced to market rent and make the reduction binding for up to 12 months.
Primary source
Tenancy Services — Rent increases →Last reviewed 16 April 2026. Rates, thresholds, and deadlines change — always verify against the primary source before making decisions.