In an industry where all companies promise to “take the stress out” of property investment and offer a free lunch for your business it is increasingly difficult to choose the right property management company. 

Unfortunately this decision has been made even harder since the law was amended in 2010 which opened the door for management companies to be created without the requirement of qualifications or basic training, resulting in many landlords falling victim to inexperienced managers and poor business management. 

So, how to choose?  Questions to ask your prospective Property Manager include:

• Do you charge for inspections?
  
• How often do you inspect?
  
• If you pay a bill on my behalf, e.g., the plumber, do you mark-up this price?
  
• If you have to take a tenant to court, what are your charges?
  
• Can I talk to some of your clients?
  
• What percentage of your clients have rent arrears?
• What types of properties have you managed?
• How many properties do you currently manage?
• If you're away on holiday, who cares for things?
• What is your process for identifying good tenants?
• How much notice do I have to give you to cancel your services?

... and so on.  Something else to ask about is the contract. Very few firms use anything other than the standard residential tenancy agreement, but this can leave the landlord woefully unprotected in many circumstances.  One firm that does specialise in the legal side of things is Tenancy Solutions.  Well worth a call.  (They also offer a Tenant Finding Service, which is not so common).

Here are a couple of good resources, which contain a bunch of other questions:

• Questions to Ask a Prospective Property Manager  Though written for USA, most applies here in NZ
  
• Twenty Questions To Ask A Property Manager Before You Hire  Likewise, USA-based
  
• Selecting a Property Manager from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (finally some local content!)
  

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It is our aim to provide you with premium customer service. Yes, sadly we don't get it right 100% of the time. So, here is our complaints procedure:

1. Contact the Principal of the firm, Garreth Collard, via the Contact Page or via telephone on 0800 890 132 line 2. Your concern can probably be resolved straight away, OR
2. Use one of the links below.

That's it. We try and make it as easy as possible for you to complain. Thanks in advance!

​If you would like to give us some feedback, you are welcome to do so here. 

​If you have feedback about the tax return process, please use this link. 

If you feel that something on this website or any of the social media websites/apps we use is in breach of the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, please make a complaint using the form below. See this link at the Ministry of Justice website for more info. Please note that your complaint must include full contact details.

Watch this interview with Garreth Collard, Principal of EpsomTax.com Limited, Property Accountants, Auckland, and learn more about: 

• What is an LTC? (see also this article)
• Is it the same as an LAQC?
• Who would benefit from setting up an LTC? 
• Should you set up one for your investment rental property?
• Partnership or LTC: which is better? 
• How do you set up an LTC? 

​Note that this was recorded before certain tax losses were ring-fenced, so not all of this applies now. However, there are still many situations where an LTC may be a good solution. Contact us to discuss on 099730706