Tenancy Rent-in-Advance Limit Checker

This checker tells you the most a landlord can legally require in rent in advance and bond when you take on a rental in New Zealand, and flags whether what you are being asked for is within the rules. The Residential Tenancies Act sets firm limits to stop tenants being asked for a daunting lump sum at the start of a tenancy. Rent in advance is capped at two weeks: a landlord can ask for up to two weeks' rent before you move in, and crucially cannot demand the next payment until the rent you have already paid has been used up, so they cannot insist on a month or more up front. The bond is separately capped at four weeks' rent, and it must be lodged with Tenancy Services rather than kept by the landlord, then refunded at the end if nothing is owing. Letting fees charged to tenants have been banned since December 2018. You enter the weekly rent and the amount you are being asked to pay in advance, and the checker shows the maximum rent in advance and bond allowed, and whether the request is within the limit or over it. Use it to stand your ground if you are asked for too much. This is general information, not legal advice; Tenancy Services can help if something is not right.

Rent in advance is capped at 2 weeks and bond at 4 weeks under the Residential Tenancies Act. Letting fees to tenants are banned. General information only.