Summit Property Management are helping spread kindness where it’s needed most.
Summit Property Management are proud to support the Whakatū Refuge Trust in their annual Christmas donation drive — bringing hope, comfort, and joy to local women, teens, and children who have engaged with the Trust’s services this year.
We can make a real difference this festive season by donating non-perishable food, gift cards, or presents for families in need.
Donation drop-off boxes are located at all Nelson Tasman Summit Real Estate and Summit Property Management offices, including;
Office
Address
Summit Property Management Nelson
60 Rutherford Street, Nelson 7010
Summit Property Management Stoke
506 Main Road Stoke, Stoke 7011
Summit Property Management Richmond
203 Queen Street, Richmond 7020
Summit Property Management Motueka
102 High Street, Motueka 7120
View full gift wish list hereTogether, we can show that our community cares — because even Santa needs a little help sometimes. #SleighthisSeason!
Summit Property Management Proudly supporting Whakatū Refuge Trust.
The rental market across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough is showing signs of renewed strength — and both landlords and tenants are starting to benefit.
After several challenging years, steady demand and key policy changes have breathed fresh confidence into the investment market. For landlords, improved financial conditions and greater regulatory clarity are helping restore balance. For tenants, higher property standards and better communication are becoming the norm.
Rising Expectations from RentersSummit Property Management General Manager Stewart Henry says tenants today are looking for far more than just a roof over their heads.
“Tenants want long-term security of tenure, compliant homes that are warm and dry, respectful treatment, and transparency around rent reviews and inspections,” says Stewart.
Connectivity has also become essential.
“Fast broadband and reliable mobile coverage are now non-negotiable. With more people working remotely, if a property doesn’t have good connectivity, it’s less attractive,” he adds.
More Confidence for LandlordsRecent policy shifts have also turned the tide for property investors. The reinstatement of interest deductibility, lower borrowing costs, and the return of the 90-day no-fault termination have made property ownership more appealing again.
“Being a landlord is more attractive now than it was a few years ago,” Stewart says. “That change has brought more investors back into the market.”
However, he notes that supply challenges remain, especially for affordable single-person dwellings. Studio flats and compact units continue to be in high demand but are under-built across the region.
A Balanced but Competitive MarketWith more than 2,000 homes managed from Picton to Motueka, Summit Property Management has a clear view of regional rental trends. While demand still outweighs supply in many areas, the market has shown signs of seasonal easing.
“This winter we’ve seen more stock available, and rents have flattened out. We’re not facing the same vacancy issues as Auckland or Wellington, but properties need to present well and be competitively priced to rent quickly,” says Stewart.
Certain areas — such as Motueka, Mapua, Brightwater, and Richmond — remain hotspots, with strong competition for three-bedroom family homes and continued growth in both business and housing activity.
Compliance Driving Better OutcomesIncreased compliance under the Healthy Homes Standards has been another positive driver. The push for higher standards in insulation, ventilation, and heating has prompted many landlords to upgrade their properties.
“Leading up to July, there was a flurry of improvements to properties — including vapour barriers, insulation, and extractor fans,” Stewart explains.
“For tenants, this has reduced the prevalence of damp, poorly maintained rentals. For landlords, it reinforces the need to treat their property as a business asset that meets modern standards.”
Alongside legislative compliance, Summit has continued to invest in its people — ensuring property managers are trained not only in the Residential Tenancies Act but also in effective communication and conflict resolution.
“It’s important property managers have the ability to find common ground between landlords and tenants,” says Stewart. “If we can keep tenants satisfied and housed for longer, that’s a win for everyone.”
For over 33 years, Summit Property Management — part of the Summit Real Estate Group — has provided results-focused, professional property management across the Top of the South. The company remains committed to supporting landlords, protecting assets, and fostering positive, long-term tenancies.
Learn more or speak with your local Summit Property Manager
Article expert by Bernadette Cooney | Business South: Volume 34 | Issue 8 | November 2025
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced new regulations for methamphetamine contamination in rental housing due in 2026.
Methamphetamine contamination levels are not currently set to a level that is agreed upon by differing bodies, some insurance companies apply the level at 1.5µg/100cm2 others and the Tenancy Tribunal apply 15µg/100cm2.
There is also a lack of control and regulation of the Methamphetamine testing and cleaning industry which this bill aims to address.
Read more about the new regulations
Source Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
As a landlord or investor, you want more than rent collection—you want confidence your property is protected, compliant, and performing. That’s where Summit Property Management’s REINZ Accreditation makes the difference.
What it means for you:
Proven expertise – Accredited members must show specialist skills to operate as residential property managers. Clear standards – You know you’re working with a trusted professional, not just anyone. Up-to-date knowledge – We commit to 10+ hours of training every year, keeping your investment safe and compliant.With over 30 years of experience and the largest local team across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough, Summit offers care, protection, and results for landlords and investors—backed by REINZ Accreditation.
Ready to safeguard and grow your investment? Talk to Summit Property Management today.
Summit Property Management is proud to support the Waimea Special Education Department Awards each term. These awards recognise students who show hard work, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges.
For Term 3, congratulations go to Manaaki Marsh-Wetere and Tom Storey. Both students have achieved outstanding results and are very deserving recipients. Our team members Stew Henry and Fiona Harris were pleased to present Manaaki and Tom with cinema vouchers as a reward for their efforts.
At Summit Property Management, we’re proud to celebrate local students and support the community we work in.
Pictured: Fiona Harris Summit Property Manager (Richmond), Manaaki Marsh-Wetere, Tom Storey, Stewart Henry (Property Management General Manager)
Read More on how Summit is involved in our community here.
Owning rental property can be profitable, but managing it yourself isn't always the best choice. Here's when hiring a property management company makes sense.
6 Signs You Need Professional Property Management1. Your Property is Far Away
If you don't live near your rental property, you need someone local who can:Handle emergencies quicklyCheck on the property regularlyKnow reliable contractors in the areaMeet with tenants face-to-face when needed2. You Don't Want the Hassle
Managing rental property involves lots of tasks:Collecting rent every monthFinding and screening tenantsHandling maintenance and repairsDealing with tenant complaintsFollowing landlord lawsIf this sounds overwhelming, hire a professional.3. You Want to Stay Out of Tenant Drama
Many landlords prefer to avoid direct contact with tenants. A property manager handles:Difficult conversations about late rentComplaints and disputesMove-in and move-out inspectionsEvictions if necessary4. You're Too Busy
If you have a full-time job or other commitments, property management takes time you might not have. Professional managers work while you focus on other things.5. You Can Afford the Cost
Property management typically costs 8-12% of your monthly rent. Many owners find this worthwhile because:It saves time and stressProfessionals often get higher rentsProperties stay rented longerYou avoid costly mistakes6. You Own Multiple Properties
The more rental properties you own, the more sense professional management makes. It's much easier to have one company handle everything than juggle multiple tenants yourself.What Good Property Managers Do
A quality property management company will:
Find and screen good tenantsCollect rent and handle late paymentsCoordinate all maintenance and repairsConduct regular property inspectionsHandle legal issues and evictionsProvide monthly financial reportsHow to Choose the Right Company
Look for a property manager who:Knows your local rental marketHas good reviews from other landlordsOffers clear, fair pricingUses modern technology for communicationHas proper licenses and insurance offeringThe Bottom Line
Hire a property management company if you value your time, want less stress, or lack experience with rental properties. While it costs money, good management often pays for itself through higher rents, fewer vacancies, and avoiding expensive mistakes.
Ready to learn more?
Contact Summit today for a free consultation to see if professional property management is right for your rental property.
At Summit Property Management, we know trust is earned through clarity. That’s why we’ve rolled out industry leading video inspections — giving landlords a front-row seat to your property's condition, from wherever you are.
No guesswork. No blurred lines. Just real-time walkthroughs, expert commentary, and peace of mind delivered straight to your screen.
"Thank you for the very detailed and accurate video inspection. This is an excellent record of the interior and exterior condition of 13 Milton Terrace. I believe this method of reporting on rental properties to be first class. Cheers"
— Henri, Investment Property Owner Picton
"I’ve found the video inspection tours to be invaluable — they provide a comprehensive view of how well our house and section are being maintained”
— David, Richmond Landlord
For a clear view on your investment, Contact a local Property Manager
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill has passed its third reading last Thursday, delivering on the Government’s “commitment to deliver sensible changes to tenancy laws”, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says in his announcement.
Here at Summit Property Management, we see these changes as positive and will help in getting more stock into the rental housing market plus clarify several of the rules rental property owners operate under, below is a summary of the changes.
Changes to take effect from - 30th January 2025
Tenancy termination changes, including:
reintroducing ‘no cause’ terminations, meaning a landlord can end a periodic tenancy with 90 days’ notice without requiring a specific reasonreducing landlords’ notice periods for ending a periodic tenancy to 42 days in specific circumstancesreducing tenants’ notice periods for ending a periodic tenancy from 28 to 21 daysreintroducing landlords’ ability to give notice to end a fixed-term tenancy at the end of its term without requiring a specific reason
Changes to take effect from – 20th March 2025
Changes to improve clarity and efficiency, including:
clarifying that landlords can prohibit smoking inside the main rental premisesclarifying provisions for withdrawing from a tenancy due to family violence
Changes to take effect from – Date TBC – expected late 2025 (commencement is by Order in Council, enabling a date to be set later)
Pet-related changes, including:
the ability to charge a pet bond at a maximum equivalent of two weeks’ rentnew pet consent and damage liability rules
Contact a Summit Property Manager HERE
Find out more
This article is from realestate.co.nz and the original one can be viewed by clicking here.
If you own a rental property, it’s likely you already know about the new healthy homes standards that came into effect on 1 July 2019. Landlords must already maintain their rental properties, but under the new standards, some will need to improve the quality of their property too. While it will ensure better and healthier homes for Kiwis, it can seem a bit overwhelming in the short-term. You might have questions like ‘What does this mean for me and my property?’ or ‘Is owning a rental property still a smart investment?’
The good news is that real estate is still a great asset. If you are willing to invest in keeping it healthy you won’t need to do as much maintenance in the long run. Plus, happy and healthy tenants are more likely to stick around and pay rent on time. Keeping your rental healthy will also remove any last-minute stress if your circumstances change and you were to sell the property.
Get ahead of the game and sort out your property now, by investing in a few key areas. Here are four easy steps to help make sure your investment is healthy and ticks all the boxes.
Before you get started, read up on the latest changes in regulation. The standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draughts – so check what’s required in each area. There are plenty of websites where you can find useful resources and the latest information - Raise the Standard has a handy rental health checklist to get you started.
While it’s easy to do this yourself initially, some of the standards (like insulation) may require some help or professional advice. Assessors and experienced professionals are the experts and will be able to help you create an overview of your property’s health, so you can keep track of what needs to be done.
Remember to book in regular property inspections to keep on top of maintenance issues. If your tenants don’t always let you know when problems arise, spark the conversation. Work together to solve problems as they crop up, as this will ensure your property stays in better condition in the long run.
Change won’t happen overnight. It’s important to plan and prioritise what needs to be done to keep your property healthy. By outlining this before you start work, you’ll find out what needs to be completed right away and what can be looked at later down the line.
Here are a few planning tips:
Get in and get it done
Taking action is the most important step. Before you begin any work, make sure you keep your tenants in the loop. You need to give your tenants at least 24 hours’ notice if you’re entering the property or doing work in order to meet the standards. It also helps if tenants know what upgrades you’re doing and why. There’s a great info sheet you can share with them that has simple information on the standards, and how they can help keep your rental healthy.
Some things, like painting, are okay for you to DIY – but for any bigger projects, like installing a new extractor fan, call in the tradies. It will pay off, in the long run, to get the job done well by an experienced professional.
Don’t let your hard work go to waste and stay on top of your paperwork. Landlords must keep a record of all upgrades and maintenance. This includes inspection reports, water bills, tenancy agreements, rent receipts and any documentation to prove that you’re complying with the new standards. Proper documentation can make life easy at tax time - and helps if you want to list your property in the future.
Now you know the key areas to work on, you can start ticking all the boxes when it comes to keeping your rental property healthy. It will help you attract and retain great tenants, who are willing to help ensure your property stays in great shape – making life easy for you when it comes time to sell.
For all the information you need to know to level up your rental property and stay ahead of the game, head to Raise the Standard.
As Property Managers, the question we get most apart from ‘how much rent can we get?’ is
‘what checks do you conduct on prospective tenants?’
Here at Summit Property Management, we conduct credit checks, personally call employers to verify employment, call previous landlords and ask a series of questions as to how the tenancy was conducted, and in some cases check the ownership of the property and call character referees with some standing.
The biggest source of information outside the above is a comprehensive, specialist background check, this is often where we discover the important details on some applicants, sources include;
Tenancy Tribunal orders not available to the publicIdentity confirmation and alias detailsDistrict Court judgementsInsolvency dataSensible Sentencing Trust recordsNew Zealand Police recordsGoogle and social media searchesIf you are looking for a supply of well-vetted tenants, contact your nearest Summit Property Management office today.
Locate your nearest Branch