What public consultation, if any, did MBIE or Tenancy Services undertake before the 29 June 2026 bond refund changes, with which tenant advocacy organisations was it conducted, and over what period?

Answer

The Tenancy Modernisation programme had a strong focus on achieving benefits for landlords, tenants and the Crown. MBIE engagement with customers consistently identified that timeliness of bond refunds was a key performance indicator and having consistent, accurate, timely refunds was therefore identified as a key benefit for the programme. MBIE has undertaken a significant amount of engagement with customers, sharing information across a number of channels regarding the changes to the bond service, since 2024. This included updates on the Tenancy Services website, regular updates on social media and in newsletters such as Tenancy Matters, direct emails to landlords, conference attendance, engagement with landlord, property management and tenant advocacy groups as well as engagement through the Rental Sector Collaboration group and outreach by MBIE's Community Partnerships team. Specific engagement included: The Rental Sector Collaboration Group, which includes representatives from Citizens Advice Bureau, Tenant Advocates Network, Auckland Tenants Protection Association, Te Matapihi, Tenancy Advisory Limited, and Community Housing Aotearoa. The purpose of the Group is to provide a structured forum for ongoing engagement, information sharing and feedback between MBIE’s Tenancy Services and stakeholders across the rental sector. The focus of the initial monthly meetings was on changes to the bond system and the impacts on landlords and tenants. The meetings provided and continue to provide a forum for sharing information, gathering feedback, identifying impacts, and ensuring that new or updated systems are practical, usable, and well understood by those who rely on them. Regular engagement with tenancy advocacy groups including Citizens Advice Bureau, Migrant Groups, City Councils, university student associations, Iwi and Pasifika partners, Ready2Rent, Christchurch and Auckland City Mission, Community Law, Salvation Army, Tenants Protection Association Auckland, New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services, Manawatu Tenants’ Union, Community Housing Aotearoa, Emerge Aotearoa, CORT Community Housing, Renters United through various forums.