Landlords adapt fast as renters gain the edge
Landlords across New Zealand are stepping up efforts to secure tenants as the rental market tilts further in favour of renters.
With listing volumes surging and leasing times lengthening, many property owners are resorting to new tactics to attract attention in a more crowded market.
“Renting a property is taking significantly longer than in recent years and average asking prices are dropping,” Ed McKnight (pictured left), economist at Opes Partners, told 1News.
Data from Trade Me showed that properties in South Taranaki now take 35 days to rent—23% longer than this time last year—while similar delays are seen in Stratford (33 days, up 50%), Westland (29 days, up 30%), Auckland (22 days, up 10%) and Christchurch (up 31%).
At the same time, recent CoreLogic analysis revealed it’s now cheaper to own than rent in more than 40% of New Zealand suburbs—particularly in areas such as Invercargill, Dunedin, and the West Coast, where declining house prices and easing mortgage rates have shifted the affordability balance.
Professional photos, pet-friendliness and pricing psychology
According to Propertyscouts NZ director Ryan Weir, landlords can no longer rely on just listing a property—they must now market it strategically.
“I recommend people have professional photos to make the spaces look bigger and brighter,” Weir said, noting that even smartphone images can be improved with online tools.
He also stressed the importance of photo order, suggesting that appealing areas like kitchens or outdoor spaces should appear first, while less glamorous spaces like bathrooms should be shown last.
Other tips include creating a video walkthrough, relisting stale ads to bump them back to the top of search results and adjusting price points just below psychological thresholds.
“A property at $790 a week may get more clicks than the $800 a week,” Weir told 1News.
Opening doors—literally—to faster leasing
Landlords are also being encouraged to hold regular viewings and remove barriers for interested tenants.
“Have a number of viewing times and dates set up, so they can elect to take one of those... have all your bits and pieces ready to go, like your application links,” Weir said.
He also recommended that property managers ask prospective tenants for feedback, which could lead to successful applications if simple fixes are made.
Allowing pets is another effective tactic. Despite two-thirds of Kiwi households owning pets, just 13% of rentals are listed as pet-friendly. An upcoming rule change will allow landlords to charge pet bonds, potentially reducing the perceived risk.
Oversupply puts renters in control
Realestate.co.nz recently reported that the rental supply on its platform for April was the highest for that month in almost a decade.
Spokesperson Vanessa Williams (pictured right) said that some Airbnb properties had been converted back to long-term rentals, while young adults were either staying with family or moving overseas due to the cost of living.
“A slower sales market over the last 2.5 years has seen investors holding onto their properties,” Williams said.
As competition mounts, landlords are adapting quickly to avoid extended vacancy periods—offering more value, more flexibility, and better presentation to keep up with savvy renters in a market that finally favours them.
