a rep guide to flatting: the barn bros move …...a rep guide to flatting 7 slide 4: setting up your...

A REP GUIDE TO Flatting:THE BARN BROS MOVE OUT OF HOME

www.communitylaw.org.nz copyright © 2015

2 │ A rep guide to FLAttiNg

Slide 1: BACKgrouNd MAteriALUse this information to inform your teaching.

How to deliver a REP moduleKia ora! Thank you for being a REP volunteer. Your participation in The REP will help young Aotearoaians become more aware of their legal rights and responsibilities. By connecting young people with local support services, you will also help build a stronger community for all of us. So… what do you need to need to know about delivering a module?

Know your Community Law Centre• ThemostimportantthingaboutTheREPistheconnectionyoucanbuildbetweenmembersofyourcommunity

and your local Community Law Centre.

• Ifaclasstakesonlyonethingoutofaworkshop,itshouldbethatiftheyhavealegalproblemtheycangethelpfrom a Community Law Centre.

• UsetheREPmodulesasawayoftalkingabouthowCommunityLawCentres,othercommunity-basedservicesandlawyerscanactuallyhelp.Ifanyoneinyourclassasksforhelporneedslegaladvice(whichyouarenotallowed to give if you are not a lawyer), direct them to their local Community Law Centre.

• Considergoingtheextrastep:goalongwithastudenttotheCommunityLawCentresotheydon’tfeelaloneorintimidated.

Know the audience• ThesecondmostimportantthingaboutTheREPisthatoureducationismeanttobeinteractiveandfun.Getting

youraudiencetorelaxandhavealaughisasimportant,ifnotmoreimportant,thantalkingaboutthelaw.

• Treatthisteachingresourceasaguideonly;tryhardtodeliverthematerialinawaythatwillsuityouraudienceand that your audience will enjoy.

• REPmodulesarelearner-led.Thereisnoneedtocoverallthematerialinthetimeyouhavebeengiven.Seewheretheconversationgoes,focusonwhattheclassidentifiesasbeingimportantorrelevant,andexplorethoseideas.Justtorepeat:thereisnoneedtogetthroughallthematerial!

• Everygroupyouworkwithwillbedifferent,withdifferentlevelsofknowledge,differentneeds,anddifferentexpectations.Letthegroupbothguideandteachyou;worktogethertobuildapictureofhowthelawactuallyworks in New Zealand.

• Ingeneral,everybodylikestoknowwhytheyarehere,whetherit’srelevant,andhowlongitwilltake.Makesureyousignpostwhatthemoduleisgoingtocover,byexplainingorperhapswritingupashortplanontheboard.

• Tryandgettotheheartofthematter:talkabouttherealworld,andthegreatersocialimplicationsofthelaw.Youwill get much more out of it, and so will your class.

Know some different teaching styles• Everybodylearnsdifferently.Veryfewpeopleenjoybeinglecturedto!

• Somepeopleliketovisualisewhatthey’relearning(byseeingitwrittendown,makingalist,studyingaface).

• Somepeopleneedtohearthingstotakethemin(maybebytakingpartinaroleplayoradiscussion,orbyusingrhythm or sound as memory aids).

• Otherpeopleprefertomovearound:theylearnbestifthey’reupontheirfeetandactive.

• Andotherslearnwiththeirhands.Theyliketogetcreative,drawthings,cutthingsout,makeprojectsordemonstrations.

• Thegamesinthismoduleattempttocaterforeverydifferentkindoflearner.Workhardatimprovingyourownteaching practice so that everybody can get involved in the class.

A rep guide to FLAttiNg │3

Know the games• Thesemodulesarestructuredsothatalltheimportantinformationcanbecoveredusingthegamesonly.

• Thegamesaimtogetyourclassthinkingabouttheissuesbeingdiscussedandengagingwiththeminapracticalway.

• Knowandunderstandthewaythegamesarerun,soyoucanleadthemsmoothlyandeffectively.

• Ifyoucanthinkofmorediverse,moreengagingandmorefungamesandexercises,pleasedo.Justmakesureyou feed these new improved games back to us at The REP.

Know the law• Youneedtobeup-to-datewiththeareaoflawthismodulecovers.

• Thebackgroundmaterialinthisguideistohelpyoulearnthelaw.TheCommunityLawManualisalsoafantasticguide to all the areas of “community” law. Check out a hard copy at your Community Law Centre or look up the onlineversion:www.communitylaw.org.nz.

• It’salwayshelpfultohavesomeexamplesupyoursleeveofhowthelawworksinpractice:ifindoubt,talktoyourfriends, family, teachers, or the lawyers and other kaimahi at your Community Law Centre.

Evaluations• GettingfeedbackisessentialtoimprovingtheREPmodules.Pleaseensureyouleaveenoughtimeattheendof

the class to hand out and collect the evaluation forms.

• Anddon’tforgettofillinyourtutorevaluationform!

Last, but not least…… Smile! Enjoy yourself, have a laugh, and thanks again for volunteering your time.

What you will need:• Projectorandlaptop

• Slides(Ctrl+Lforfullscreen)

• Chocolate

• Blu-tac

• Gameshowhostblazer(ifyouhaveone)

Printing:• Teachingguide

• Evaluationsx1perstudent

• Tutorself-evaluationx1

• Game#1(pg8)A4x1perflatgroup

• Game#2(pg22)A3x1(cutoutbefore)

• Game#3(pg23)A3x1(cutoutbefore)


Slide 2: introducing tHe BArN BroS

GREEtinGs• “Kiaora,talofalava,nihao,hello”(introduceyourself,yourname,abitaboutyourself).

• “ThissessionisbroughttoyoubytheCommunityLawCentreandTheREP:theRightsEducationProject”.

• IntroducetheCommunityLawCentre:Makesureeveryoneknowshowtogettothere–perhapsbydrawingamap on the whiteboard.

• IntroducetheREP.

• Thismodulebeginswithan“icebreaker”tomakeiteasierforparticipantstofeelcomfortablecontributingtotheworkshopandforyoutolearnyourstudents’names:don’tforgetthem!

tHE BaRnyaRd BRos• TheREPisbasedonsomecharacterscalledTheBarnBros.

• UseeitherahardcopyREPPoster,thePowerpoint,orthePrezishow,tozoominonthecharactersinthismodule,and to talk about what kind of animals they are.

• ThisTenancymodulemainlyfollowsSionetheSheepandChaztheCowandastheylookforaflat,movein,andthenhavesomerun-inswiththeirdodgylandlord,FrankthePig.

BARN BROSINTRODUCING THE

BARN BROS


Slide 2: Background MaterialLearn this information and integrate it into your teaching. don’t read it out word for word!

Community Law Centres• Weprovidefreelegaladvice,onmosttopics.Youcanseealawyer,forfree,onanythingtodowithemployment,

family, criminal, tenancy, debt, and beyond.

• CommunityLawCentresaresituatedthroughoutNewZealandandyoucanlocateyournearestoneatwww.communitylaw.org.nz/your-local-centre/find-a-community-law-centre/.MakesuretheclassknowswheretofindtheirlocalCommunityLawCentre.Forexample:YournearestCommunityLawCentreisinWellingtonCentralat84WillisStreetLevel2orinLowerHuttat59QueensDrive.Comeinandseeussometime!

the REP – Rights Education Project• Weareateamofvolunteerstudentskeentoletyouknowyourlegalrightsandresponsibilities.

• Wecanpresentthelawonanumberofareas,butifyouhaveanythingyouareparticularlyinterestedin,wearealways open to new ideas!

Community Law Manual• HavealookthroughtheTenancyLawsectioninChapter14oftheCommunityLawManual.

• CheckoutahardcopyatyourCommunityLawCentreorlookuptheonlineversion:www.communitylaw.org.nz.

Meet the Barn Bros in this Module

• Sione the Sheep: Sione is a happy, sensible sheep with a lot of get up and go. Like all of us, Sione sometimes gets intotrouble,butunlikemostofus,Sionedoesn’tignorehisproblems.He’salwaysupfortryingtogetjusticeforhimself and his mates.

• Chaz the Cow: Chazisachiller.He’sacoolguywhomakesthehensweakattheknees.He’sintoskateboardingandhangingoutwithfriends.Chazisalwaystryingtodotherightthingbuthedoesn’talwaysmakethebestdecisions. Sione often has to dig Chaz out of trouble.

• Frank the pig: Frankisacorporatehotshotwho’salwayslookingforthenextbusinessdeal.He’srumouredtobeabitofamoneysharkaroundthefarm.He’sdodgyanddoesn’tcareifpeoplegethurt.


Slide 3: Content of module

stoRyLinE• Usethestorylinesprovidedtogroundeachsectionofthemodule.Taketurnsreadingoutthestorylinebefore

startingthenextgame.Theideaistoexplainwhatthecharactersareuptointheslides–togivetheclasssomethingtolookatandthinkaboutwhileeverythingelseisgoingon:

• “SionetheSheephasjustcomefromalifeskillsclass,whichwasallaboutflatting.He’skeentomoveoutofhome,buthedoesn’tknowwhohe’dlivewith,whatitwouldcost,howhe’ddealwithdodgylandlordsorwhathe’ddoifhe wanted to move out. Sione wants to find out about some of these things.”

tHis ModULE wiLL CovER• Takeamomenttoexplainthecontentofeachofthefoursectionsinyourownwords.

• Writethisontheboardifyouthinkitwillhelpgroundtheclass.

• Lettheclassknowhowlongeachsectionwilltake-fourgameswitheachgametaking10-15mins.

• Thematerialyouwillcoveris:

o Settingupyourflat

o What’sitgonnacost?

o Whatcouldpossiblygowrong...?

o Solving problems

iCEBREaKER: “FLatMatEs”• Theideaofthisicebreakeristoencourageparticipationandtointroducetheclassmembers.Workhardto

remember the names of everyone in the class.

• Dividetheclassintosmallgroups.Thesewillbethe“flats”fortherestoftheclass.Eachgamecanbecarriedoutinthese“flat”groups.

• Gettheflatstogivethemselvesasilly“flatname”(forexample,TePaamu/TheFarm)andtointroducetheirflatmatestotherestoftheclass.

• Theflatthatwinseachgamewinschocolate!

WHAT WE’LL COVER IN THIS SESSION…

1. Setting up your flat

2. So what’s it gonna cost?

3. What could possibly go wrong…?

4. Solving problems

1 2 3 4


Slide 4: Setting up your flat

stoRyLinE• “Ratherthanstudyingforhisfinalexams,Sionehasbeendaydreamingaboutthefuture,escapinghisparents,and

movinginwithhismates:ChaztheCowandDougytheDog.He’smeetingupwiththemtonighttotalkaboutwhatkindofflattheywanttofind,whatpaperworkthey’reneedtoorganise,andwho’sgoingtosignthelease.”

tHis sECtion aiMs to BRinG oUt tHE FoLLowinG idEas• Startingupaflat

• Tenancyagreements(fixedtermorperiodic)

• Tenantsversusflatmates

GaME #1: dEsiGn yoUR own Pad• Handoutthe“Designyourownpad”worksheetstoeachgroup:theinstructionsareonthesheet.

• Whiletheclassisworking,orafterthey’vefinishedthesheets,openupadiscussiononthebasicsofflatting.

o Forexample,ChazwantstolivewithDougytheDogcoshe’sanexcitingthrillseekerandgetsuptoallkindsoffuntrouble.SionetheSheepisagoodmatewhoalwayshasChaz’sbackanddigshimoutoftrouble.Whatkind of people do youwanttolivewith?Dougythedog,orSionethesheep…

1. Setting up your flat

Game #1Design your

own pad

1 2 3 4

tenancy game #1: design your own padLikeSioneandChaz,you’reaboutgetyourownplacewithafewofyourmates.Designyouridealflat:willithaveaswimmingpool?Poolroom?Beerfridge?Whatelse?Drawupaplanforyourdreamflat,andseeif youcanmakeitbetterthaneveryoneelse’s!

Whileyou’redrawingyoursweetpad,you’dbetterthinkaboutthefollowingtoo:

• Whodoyouwanttolivewith,andwhere?

• Whowillbeonthetenancyagreementandwhowantstobeaflatmateonly?

• Willyousharecooking,shopping,cleaning,orthecouch?

• AreyougoingtohaveSkyTV?TheInternet?

• Whosename/swillbeonthepowerandotherbills?

• Howareyougoingtopayforeverything?


SLide 4: Background MAteriALLearn this information and integrate it into your teaching. don’t read it out word for word!

some good ways to look for a flat• Newspapers,TradeMe.

• Propertymanagementcompanies(althoughyoumayhavetopayafeetousetheseservices)

• Otherplacessuchasthroughfriends,facebook,noticesonboardsincafesandlibrariesoruniversityaccommodation services.

things to look out for when entering a tenancy• Earthquakeproof?Wooden?

• Isitaffordable?Isitvalueformoney?

• Location...Costofrentversuscostoftravel:iftheflatischeap,youmayspendalotontransport.

• Lifestyle?Consider:neighbours,noise,space.

• Whatkindofappliances,otheritemscomewiththeflat?

• Dodoorsandwindowslock?

• Viewtheflatonawetdayduringtheday:yougettoseehowdamp,cold,darkandleakytheflatmightbe.Insulation?

• Arepetsallowed?Parking?Smokedetectors?

• Howmanypeoplecansharetheplacewithyou?Istheredifferentrentforcouples?

• Sun/afternoonsun.

• Askcurrenttenantswhattheflatislikeandifithasanyproblems.

• Youcanhavealookatwww.tenancytribunal.govt.nztofindoutiftherehavebeenanyproblemswithalandlord.

tenancy agreements• Landlordsmustprovideyouwithatenancyagreement.Eveniftheydon’t,youstillhavetenants’rights.

Fixed-term or periodic tenancies• Whetheratenancy(lease)is“fixed-term”or“periodic”affectsthingslikehowmuchnoticeyouhavetogiveyour

landlord to move out, how much notice your landlord must give you, and if and when the landlord can put the rent up.

• Fixed-termtenanciesareforaspecificlengthoftime,likesixmonthsoroneyear.(Note:theyautomaticallybecomeperiodictenanciesattheendofthefixedterm.)Theycan’tbeendedbynoticeduringtheterm.

• Periodictenanciesareon-goingtenanciesofwithnoparticularenddate:theycanbeendedbygivingnotice.

Flatmates versus tenants• Yourrightsandresponsibilitiesdependalotonwhetheryouareatenantoraflatmate.

• Youareatenantifyouhavesignedatenancyagreementwithalandlord.

• Youareaflatmateifyournameisnotonthetenancyagreement(perhapsyoumovedinafterthetenancyagreement was signed).

Flatmates• Justbecauseyouhavenotsignedanythingdoesnotmeanyouhavenorightsandresponsibilities.

• Butyourrightsandyourresponsibilitiesarelessclearthanatenant’s,anddependonwhatyouhaveagreedto.

• Evenifyouhaven’tsignedanything,youstillhaveanagreement(a“contract”)withthetenant/s.Thisagreementiswhateveryouhavesaid(verbally,inemails,intexts)pluswhateverisreasonable.

• Yourrightsandresponsibilitiesaretothepersonwhosenameisonthetenancyagreement.Whileyoucan’tusetheTenancyTribunal,youcantakeadisputewiththetenanttotheDisputesTribunal(andviceversa).


Bills• Auto-paymentsintoflataccountversussplittingthebills.

Flatmate agreements• Sohowdoyouavoidproblems?Getaflatmateagreement.

• YoucangetcopiesofsampleagreementsfromyourCommunityLawCentre.

• Thesearesimpleagreementsaboutthingslike:

o Howmuchnoticeyouhavetogivebeforeyouleavetheflat

o Bond,rent,billsetc.(seenextslide)

o Who’sresponsibilityitistofindanotherflatmatewhensomeonemovesoutandwhopaystherentinthemeantime

discrimination• Unemployed?Under18?Gotakid?Gay?

• Alandlordcan’tusetheseasreasonsnottorentyoutheflat.

• Othergroundsofdiscrimination?Race,sex,religion.

• Ifyouthinkalandlordhasrefusedyouforoneofthesereasons,seeyourCommunityLawCentre,theTenancyTribunalorcomplaintotheHumanRightsCommission.

Can landlords check your criminal history?• Landlordscanaskprospectivetenantsabouttheircriminalhistory;tenantsdonothavetogivetheinformationor

agree to a police background check.

• Thelandlordhastobeabletoshowthatthequestionis“lawfulandnecessary.”Giventhatthepersonisgoingtobelivinginthelandlord’shouse,itwouldn’tbehardtoproveit’s“necessary”forthemtoknow.

• Iftheydoask,theymusttellyouwhytheyareasking,andhowlongthey’regoingtokeepthisinformationfor.

• Oncetheyhavetheinfo,theyCANdiscriminateonthebasisofcriminalhistory–theycouldrefusetoletyouhavetheflat.


Slide 5: what’s it gonna cost?

stoRyLinE• “Sioneissortingouthisnewflat.He’sbeengettinglettersfromhislandlord,theMinistryofBusiness,Innovation

andEmployment,andhismum…it’sallabitcrazy!Everyonewantsformssignedandmoneypaidbydifferentdates. Sione and his mates want to know what they need to do to move in to their new place, and by when!”

tHis sECtion aiMs to BRinG oUt tHE FoLLowinG idEas• Rent

• Bond

GaME #2: “tiME PERiods RUn-aRoUnd!” • Explaintherulesofthegame:Instructionsareonthefollowingpage.

• Duringthegame,fieldadiscussionabout:

o Bond:whatisit,howmuchisit,whendoesithavetobepaid?(Forexample,“Dougysayshecan’taffordtopaythebond.Doeshehavetopayit?”)

o Rent:whatisit,howmuchisit,howoftendoesithavetobepaid,whencanthelandlordincreaseyourrent?Whathappensifyoudon’tpayrent,andwhen?

2. So what’s it gonna cost?

Game #2time periods run-around!

1 2 3 4


tenancy game #2: time periods run-aroundPresenters:

• Itseemsthateverythingintenancylawhasadifferenttimeperiodattached!

• Youwillfindfour“time-frame”posterstoprintattheendofthisdocument.

• Usingblu-tackorstickytape,stickoneposteroneachwalloftheroom.

• Readouteachquestion:theparticipantsmustracetotherightposter.

• Firstpersontothecorrectsignwinsachocolate.

• Thefollowingquestionsaresortedbytimeperiod–mixthem up!

time Period Questions and answers1. HoW MuCH tiMe doeS your LANdLord HAve to give you BeFore tHey CoMe

over ANd iNSpeCt tHe property?(at least)

48 hours

2. * BoNuS queStioN: WHAt HourS MuSt your LANdLord viSit BetWeeN? 8am and 7pm3. HoW MuCH NotiCe do you HAve to give your LANdLord to Fix SoMetHiNg

tHAt’S WorN out BeFore you CAN tAKe tHeM to tHe triBuNAL? 14 days

4. HoW MuCH NotiCe doeS A LANdLord HAve to give you to Fix SoMetHiNg you’ve BroKeN BeFore tHey CAN tAKe you to tHe teNANCy triBuNAL?

5. HoW FAr iN AdvANCe CAN your LANdLord ASK you to pAy your reNt?

6. HoW MuCH tiMe do you HAve to give your LANdLord to LeAve A periodiC teNANCy? 21

days7. HoW FAr BeHiNd iN reNt do you Need to Be BeFore your LANdLord CAN AppLy to tHe triBuNAL to HAve your teNANCy eNded?

8. * triCK queStioN: HoW MuCH NotiCe do you HAve to give to LeAve A Fixed terM teNANCy?

it ends on date in tenancy agreement.

if no notice given before that date,

turns into periodic tenancy.

BUt can negotiate earlier exit with

landlord agreement.9. HoW oFteN CAN your LANdLord iNSpeCt your FLAt?

28 days10. HoW MANy dAyS’ reNt iN AdvANCe CAN your LANdLord ASK For AS A BoNd?


SLide 5: Background MAteriALLearn this information and integrate it into your teaching. don’t read it out word for word!

Rent• Everyonehastopayrent.

• Thetenancyagreementwilltellyouhowmuchtherentisandwhen/howtopay(automaticpayment,cash,etc).

• Usually,rentispaidinadvance.Thismeansthataswellasthebond,youwillprobablyneedtopayoneortwoweeks’rentwhenyoumoveintoyourflat.

• Ifyou’repayingyourrenttoanothertenant,notthelandlord,it’sagoodideatokeeparecord.Youarestillliabletothelandlordeveniftheydon’tpassonthefullrenttothem.TenantscantaketheresponsiblepersontotheDisputesTribunal.Ifatenantmovesoutandstopspayingtheirshareofrentwithoutagreementoftheothertenants and landlord, the other tenants are still liable to pay the full rent

• Whetherlandlordscanincreasetherentdependsonwhetheryou’reonaperiodicorfixedtermtenancy:

o Periodic:Landlordcanonlyincreasetherentonceeverysixmonths

o Fixedterm:Landlordcanonlyincreaseifitisintheagreementthattheymaydoso,andthentheyhavetogivethetenanttwomonths’notice

• Ifyouthinkyourrentishigherthanitshouldbe,youcanapplytoTenancyTribunaltoreduceittothemarketprice. You can view market rent figures at www.dbh.govt.nz.

Bond• Abondisakindof“security”forthelandlord:theycanapplytotheTenancyTribunaltokeepsomeorallofthis

moneyifyoudonotpayyourrentoryoudamagetheflat.

• Tenantspaythismoney(uptofourweeksrent)tothelandlord,whomustlodgeitwiththeMinistryofBusiness,InnovationandEnterprise(MBIE).Boththetenantsandlandlordmustfillina“BondLodgementForm”.

• MBIEwillsendyouareceipt:youshouldfollowthisup,itiscommonforlandlordsnottogetaroundtolodgingthebond.Yourlandlordislegallyrequiredtopaythebondandiftheydon’tyoucanapplytotheTenancyTribunalfordamages.

• Ifyou’regoingintoapre-existingflatandbecomingatenant,youneedtosigna“ChangeofTenant”forminstead.

• Ifeverythingissweetwhenyoumoveout,theMBIEmustrefundyourbondinfull.Whenyoufilloutabondreleaseformwithyourlandlord.It’simportantthatyoursignaturesmatchthoseonthebondlodgementform.Ifthe landlord tries to keep your bond unfairly, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal for a decision.

your landlord giving notice• Fixed-termtenancies:

o Thelandlordcan’tkickyououtbeforetheendoftheterm

o Beforethefixed-termends,thelandlordmustgiveyouthreeweeks’noticeiftheywantyoutoleave

o Iftheydon’tgiveyounotice,yourtenancyautomaticallybecomesaperiodictenancy

• Periodictenancies:

o Thelandlordmustgiveyou90days’noticeinwriting(or42daysifthepropertyissoldorthelandlordoramember of their family wants to move back in)

you’re giving notice?• Fixed-termtenancies:

o Youdon’tneedtostayintheflat,butyouMUSTpayrentuptotheendofthefixedterm.

o Beforethefixed-termends,youmustgivethelandlordthreeweeks’noticeifyouwanttoleave

o Ifyoudon’tgivenotice,yourtenancyautomaticallybecomesaperiodictenancy.

o Ifyouabsolutelyhavetomoveoutbeforethefixedtermenddate,talktoyourlandlordASAP.Theymayallowyoutosub-letorassigntheflat.Sublettingisriskierbecauseyoustillhaveanobligationtopaytherent,evenif the sublessee stops paying. Assignment is where another person takes over the rental contract and most landlords are willing to negotiate.

o Ifyoureallycan’tpayrentanymore,andyou’refacingseverehardship(forexampleyoulostyourjob),theTenancyTribunalmightletyouendthetenancyearly.Note:thisisrarelyallowedbytheTribunal.


o ContacttheMBIE’stenancynumbertodiscusstheiroptionswithanadvisor-0800836262(0800TENANCY)

• Periodictenancies:

o Youneedtogiveyourlandlord21days’noticeinwriting.

• Flatmates:

o Youneedtogivetheotherflatmates‘reasonable’notice(forexample,twoorthreeweeks).

MBiE tenancy services• MBIE’sTenancyServicescanprovideadvicefortenancyproblemsandhavetemplatesforthingslike14-daynotices

thattenantscanuse:

o Website:www.tenancy.govt.nz

o Phone:0800836262(0800TENANCY)


Slide 6: What could possibly go wrong...

stoRyLinE• “SioneandChazthrowaflatwarmingparty.Itwascrazy:windowssmashed,bottlesbroken,andthecarpetstained

withredwineandmud.Theirlandlord,FrankthePig,turnsupthenextmorningaftertheneighboursdobthebrosin,andhe’ssuperangry.HesaysthatSioneandChazhavetopayforrepairsofthehouse,includingthetoiletthat’sbeendodgysincetheymovedin.Sionedoesn’tthinkthissoundsrightanddecidestofindoutwhathecando about it.”

tHis sECtion aiMs to BRinG oUt tHE FoLLowinG idEas• Landlordresponsibilities

• Tenantresponsibilities

• Damageandrepair

• 14daynoticesandTenancyTribunalapplications

GaME #3: “daMaGE REPaiR MatCH”• Handoutthepicturesforthisexercise:Instructionsareonthefollowingpage.

• Astheflatgroupsmatchthepicturestothelandlordortenant,talkabouteveryone’srightsandresponsibilities.

o Forexample,Dougydidn’tmoveintotheflat,buthekeepscomingroundandwastheonewhobrokethewindowattheparty.WhoisresponsiblefordamageDougycaused?

3. What could possibly go wrong…?

Game #3Damage

repair Match

1 2 3 4


tenancy game #3: damage repair MatchPresenters:

• Itcanbeawkwarddecidingwhoisresponsiblefordamageandrepairsinyourflat: you or your landlord?

• Writeup“LANDLORD”AND“TENANT”atthetopoftwocolumnsonthewhiteboard

• Youwillfind10picturesofdamage/repairtoprintattheendofthisdocument

• Giveeachflatgroupsomepictures:groupstaketurnstoblu-tackthepicturebeneatheither LANDLORDorTENANT,dependingonwhoseresponsibilityitis-andmustexplainwhy

• Thegroupthatgetsthemostrightwinschocolate

tHe CorreCt MAtCH ANd WHy...Rubbish • TENANT:must“keepthepremisesreasonablyneatandtidy”

Light bulb blows • TENANT:basiclightbulbsarethetenant’sresponsibilitytoreplace

• LANDLORD:Specialitylightbulbs,e.g.halogenbulbs,areforthelandlordtoreplace

Spilt glass of wine • TENANT:responsibleforanydamagewhetherit’sbyaccidentordoneonpurpose

A friend burns a hole in the carpet when they drop their smoke

• TENANT:responsibleforanydamageevenifitwascausedbyanotherpersonallowedintheflat

Mowing the lawns • LANDLORD:ifagreedinthetenancyagreement-thiscansetoutthetimesor days that the landlord can mow or have the lawns mown

• TENANT:ifnotinthetenancyagreementthenlawnmowingisthetenant’sjob

Leaky tap • LANDLORD:ifusednormally,it’sthelandlord’sresponsibilitytokeeptheflatreasonably repaired.

Mice in the house! • LANDLORD:ifmiceinthehousebeforethetenancybegan

• TENANT:onlyifmicehavecomebecausetenantfilthy

Blocked toilet • TENANT:ifit’sthetenant’sfault,likestuffingthetoiletfullofpaperwhichclogsit

• LANDLORD:iftheblockageisbecausethetoiletisfaulty,it’sthelandlord’sresponsibilitytokeepflatreasonablyrepaired

Washing machine breaks down

• TENANTORLANDLORD:Whoeverownsit.Unlessit’sthetenant’sfaultforoverloadingthemachine,thenit’sthetenant’sresponsibility

Mould • LANDLORD:ifhousenotmouldfreeatbeginningoftenancy

• TENANT:responsibilitytoremoveiftenant’sfault.Needstotakeenoughcarebyairingtheflatandkeepingitheatedregularly


Slide 6: Background MaterialLearn this information and integrate it into your teaching. don’t read it out word for word!

Landlord’s responsibilities• Makesuretheflatiscleanandingoodconditionwhenthetenantsmovein.

• Keepthepropertywellmaintained.Thisincludestakingcareoftreesandshrubsbecausetenantsareliableforanydamagecausedtothepropertysoyoushouldn’tdoanypruningunlessyouhavethelandlord’sconsent.

when can the landlord enter the flat?• Youmightbelivinginthelandlord’sproperty,butit’syourhomeand“quietenjoyment”.Landlordscancomeover:

o Anytimeifyouagree,orifthere’sanemergency

o Toinspecttheflat:with48hours’notice,onceeveryfourweeks,between8amand7pm

o Todorepairsormaintenance:with24hours’notice,andiftheygiveyouareason,between8amand7pm

tenant’s responsibilities• Payingtherentontime.

• Keepingtheflatandgroundscleanandtidy.Unlessotherwiseagreedonthetenancyagreement,youhavetomow the lawns.

• Beingagoodtenantandneighbour–thismeanslettingotherflatmatesandyourneighboursliveinpeace.

• Stickingtothetenancyagreement.Ifitsayspetsarenotallowed,don’ttrytokeepacatonthequiet,orhavemore people living there than you are allowed.

• Notalteringtheflatwithoutpermission.

• Allowingaccesswhenreasonable,includingnotchanginglocks.

• Notbreakingthelaw,forexample,youcan’thaveaP-lab!

• However,nomatterwhatthetenancyagreementmightsay,tenantscan’tsignawaytheirrightsundertheResidentialTenanciesAct.Ifanythingintheagreementseemsexcessiveorunfair,takeitintocommunitylaworringupMBIEtenancyserviceson0800836262.

damage / Repair• Youareresponsiblefordamagecausedbysomeoneelseunlessyoucanshowyoutriedtogetthemtoleave.

• Youmightbeliableforwearandtearifyoudon’ttellthelandlordanditgetsworse.

• Ifitisanurgentrepairforsomethingyoudidn’tcause(liketheplumbingfails),andyoutriedbutcan’tgetholdofthelandlord,youcangetitfixedandthelandlordmustpayyouback.

• Youshouldalwaysgetapropertyinspectionreportwitheverythingdetailedonit.

• Youshouldtakephotosoftheflatthedayyoumoveinanddatethem.Thisgivesyouprotectionifyourlandlordtries to hold back your bond for damage that was already there when you moved in.

• Youshouldalwaysgetcontentsandpersonalliabilityinsurance.Yourlandlord’sinsurancewon’tinsureyourstuffifit’sstolenoryourflatburnsdown.Iftheflatisdamagedthenyouneedpersonalliabilityinsuranceorelsethelandlord’sinsurancecompanycouldsueyou!

• Infestationsofvermin/insects:thelandlordisresponsibleunlessitcanbeattributedtothetenant’sfailuretokeepthehousereasonablycleanandtidy(e.g.ifthereareholesinthewalls,andifthehousehasfrequentissueswithcockroaches).

14-day notices• Eitheryouorthelandlordcangiveeachothera14-daynoticetellingtheothertodosomethingif:

o Repairs need to be done

o Theywon’tleaveyoualonefor“quietenjoyment”

o Any right in your Tenancy Agreement or in the Residential Tenancy Act is breached by your landlord/vice versa

• Alandlordcansendyouanorderifyou:

o Havedoneseriousdamage

o Are behind in rent


Slide 7: solving problems stoRyLinE •“SioneandChazrepairthedamage,andthinkthateverythingissweet.Outofthebluetheygetaletterfrom theirlandlord,FrankthePig,sayinghewantsthemout,eventhoughtheirfixed-termtenancydoesn’tendfor months. Sione and Chaz are mad and want to know what they can do.”

tHis sECtion aiMs to BRinG oUt tHE FoLLowinG idEas •ApplyingtotheTenancyTribunal •BeingtakentotheTenancyTribunal

GaME #4: “tEnanCy JEoPaRdy” Presenters: •Getyourselfreadyfortheweeklygameshow:thegamewhereeveryanswerisaquestion... •Playthegameshowhost(wearacheesyblazerifyouhaveone!). •Eachflatmakesupateambuzzer. •Goaroundthegroupsandgetthemtotrialtheirbuzzer(loudisgood!). •Explaintherulesonthefollowingpage.

1 2 3 4


Slide 7: Background notes Learn this information and integrate it into your teaching. don’t read it out word for word!

applying to the tenancy tribunal• Ifyoucan’tsorttheissueoutwithyourlandlord,eitherbytalkingitoverorbysendinga14-daynotice,youcan

apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. You can also apply to the Tenancy Tribunal if the landlord tries to kick you out without enough notice.

• Youfilloutaformandpay$20.44,andtheprocesscantakebetweentwotothreeweeks.

• Youwillfirstbedirectedtomediation,inwhichyoutalkonthephonewithanindependentmediatorandtrytofindasolutiontoyourproblem.Youcanopt-outofmediation,butthisdoesn’tspeedtheapplicationprocessup.

• Ifnosolutioncanbefound,thedisputewillgototheTenancyTribunal.Theadjudicatorwillmakeadecision.

Being taken to the tenancy tribunal (termination orders)• LandlordscanapplytotheTenancyTribunalforaterminationorderif:

o You’vecausedseriousirreparabledamagetotheproperty

o You’vefailedtoremedyabreachoftenancyagreementin14days(andthey’veissuedyouwitha14-daynotice)

o You’re21daysbehindinrent-theydon’tneedtoissueyoua14-daynoticefirst

o You assaulted the landlord or neighbour

• Ifyou’rebehindinrent:

o Checkifallpaymentshavebeenprocessed(bybankoremployer)

o Don’tavoidthelandlord-contactthelandlordimmediatelytodiscusstheproblem

o Paywhateveryoucan-apartpaymentisbetterthannothingatall

o Lookatotherhelpavailable(forexample,WorkandIncome)


tenancy game #4: tenancy JeopardyExplaintherules:

• Ineach“round”,thegameshowhostreadsouttheanswers,andtheteamshaveto“buzzin”withthecorrectquestion.

• Thefirstteamtobuzzingetsashotataskingthecorrectquestion.Theymustanswer intheformofquestion:withaquestionmarkattheendoftheirsentence.

• Theteamhasthreesecondstoaskthequestion,andonlygetsonetry.Ifthequestioniswrong, the other teams have a chance to buzz in.

• Theteamwiththemostpointsattheendofthegamewinsthechocolate.

tHE GaME wHERE EvERy answER MUst BE a QUEstion

RoUnd # CLUEs answERPRaCtiCE RoUnd

• Ihavefourlegs

• Ilooklikeahorse,butI’mnotahorse

• Irunwiththeherd,andliveinAfrica

• Inthefilm“Madagascar”IamcalledMarty

• Ihaveblackandwhitestripes

WhatisaZEBRA?

But in the real game, all the rounds relate to tenancy law: let’s start!RoUnd 1 • It’slikelythatIhavemoremoneythanyou

• SometimesIamdodgy,whichiswhyit’sagoodideatotakemeseriously,evenifyouknowmeorI’mtheparentofyourbest mate

• Ihavetopayforrepairstothepropertyiftheyoccurduetonormal wear and tear

• Ishouldmakesureyousignatenancyagreementandhelpyou fill out a condition report

• Iownpropertyandleaseitouttotenants

WhatisaLANDLORD?

RoUnd 2 • Iamapieceofpaper

• Itisillegaltorentaplacewithoutme

• YoucantakemetotheTenancyTribunaltohelpproveyourcase against your landlord

• Itellyouwhetheryourtenancyisfixed-termorperiodic

• Icontainkeyinformation:youraddress,yourname,yourlandlord’sname,yourrentandyourbond

Whatisa TENANCYAGREEMENT?

RoUnd 3 • Iamabigfatsumofmoney

• Youmightpaymetothelandlord,buttheyhavetogiveittosomeone else

• Iequaluptofourweeks’rent

• Ifthelandlordprovesit,theycanusethismoneytopayfordamage, unpaid rent and cleaning

• Topayme,yousignaBondLodgementFormandlodgemewiththeMBIE

WhatisaBOND?


RoUnd 4 • Itcostsabout$20toapplytome

• Youcanusemeifyouhaveaproblemwithyourlandlordthatcan’tbesolvedanyotherway

• Youcanusemewhileyou’restilllivinginyourplaceorafteryou’veleft(orbeenkickedout)

• Ifwanttouseme,youwillprobablyhavetodo“mediation”first

• Ifmediationdoesn’twork,Iwilldecidewhoisrightandwhoiswrong

Whatisthe TENANCYTRIBUNAL?

RoUnd 5 • Iamgenerallyprettycool

• Ihavetokeepmyplacereasonablycleanandtidy

• IfIhaveafixedtermtenancy,mylandlordgenerallycan’taskme to leave

• IfIhaveaperiodictenancy,mylandlordhastogivemenotice if they want me to move out

• IhavetogivenoticeifIwanttomoveout

• Isignedatenancyagreementtoliveinmyplace

WhatisaTENANT?

RoUnd 6 • Ihaveaverbalorawrittenagreementwiththetenants

• Ihaveobligations,likepayingrentandkeepingtheplacetidy

• TenantscantakemetotheDisputesTribunalifI’vedonesomething wrong

• Idon’thaveanagreementwiththelandlord,becauseIamnot on the Tenancy Agreement

• Idon’thavetopayabond

WhatisaFLATMATE?

RoUnd 7 • Thereare24ofmeinAotearoa

• Icanhelpyouifyougetintotroublewithyourlandlord

• Ifyouvisitme,youcanhaveafree(instant)coffee

• IfyouvisitmeinWellingtononaMondaytoThursdayevening, you can see a lawyer for free

• MyWellingtonaddressisbyNewWorldMetroonWillisStreet

• MyLowerHuttaddressisbyThaiExpressonQueen’sDrive

Whatisa COMMUNITYLAWCENTRE?


Thank you!

The End

Slide 8: Conclusion

wRaPPinG UP• Handouttheevaluationforms:makesureeveryonefillsonein(Note:explainthatchocolatecan’tbetheir

favourite part).

• Findyourownwaytowrapuptheclass:thankeveryoneforparticipating.

• RemembertolinkpeopleinwiththeCommunityLawCentreifneeded.

• Followuponanyquestionsorissues:bringthecorrectanswerstoyournextclass.

• Fillinonetutorevaluationformbetweenthetwopresenters.

• Havearest!

tenancy game #2: time periods run-around printing materials

28 days21 days

14 days48 Hours

tenancy game #3: damage repair match printing materials

a rep guide to flatting: the barn bros move …...a rep guide to flatting 7 slide 4: setting up your...

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