On March 27, Housing Minister Megan Woods advised landlords and tenants that all non-essential parliamentary business, including that before select committees, was to be suspended during lockdown.

But, despite this advice, the Social Services and Community Committee heard oral submissions on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, via Zoom video-conferencing, throughout April.

This has left many rental property owners bemused and concerned – and questioning why the hearings on such major reforms for the industry would be pushed through at a time when people were focused on the Covid-19 crisis.

Along with the National Party and the NZ Property Investors’ Federation, REINZ have called for the rental reforms to be put on hold until the country returns to some “semblance of normality”.

REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell says that rental property management companies are currently grappling with landlords and tenants who are losing their jobs and are struggling to pay their mortgage or rent. “They’re also trying to deal with difficulties around delays to routine property inspections to ensure they meet the requirements of insurers.

“When you add trying to deal with rental reform into the picture as well, it just takes people’s focus away from concentrating on the ramifications of Covid-19.“Especially when aspects of the RTA proposals have already been brought into effect under the emergency legislation and will continue for at least another two and a half months.”

However, to date, the RTA reform process is steaming on. This is a huge worry for most landlords, with a new survey conducted by NZ Property Investor indicating the proposals are their number one concern going forward. ■