Managing your Tauranga rental from overseas
If you live outside New Zealand, Dunmore Property Management can act as your agent here and run your Tauranga or Western Bay of Plenty rental as if you were in town. A landlord who is away for more than 21 days must have one. Every update reaches you in writing, so time zones never hold anything up.
What do we handle while you’re away?
Everything a landlord would do in person:
Act as your New Zealand agent: we give notices and act for you at Tenancy Services and the Tenancy Tribunal.
Find and check tenants, and send you the shortlist to approve by email.
Inspect every three months and send you the photo report.
Arrange repairs, acting at once on anything urgent and telling you within one business day.
Pay you on the 1st and 15th of each month with a statement, and send an end-of-year summary for your accountant.
Why does an overseas landlord need an agent?
New Zealand law says a landlord who is out of the country for more than 21 days must have an agent here. Under our management authority we take on that role whenever you are away, so the tenancy keeps running and nothing waits for you to land.
How do decisions work across time zones?
Most decisions come to you in writing, so you can answer when it suits you. Repairs up to $500 plus GST go ahead without waiting, urgent work goes ahead at once, and anything larger waits for your reply with a quote attached. Emails are answered within one business day, New Zealand time.
How do you protect an owner who isn’t here?
Payment fraud often targets owners who are hard to reach. We confirm your bank details by phone before the first payment and before any change, and we never act on new details sent by email alone. Your rent is held on trust in a separate client account until it is paid to you.
Can I sign up from overseas?
Yes. The management authority and the Property Record can both be signed electronically, and we visit the property for the appraisal, so you don’t need to be in the country. After you sign, we usually complete the Property Record with you within five business days. If a tenant is already in place, we inspect within 14 days of taking over, so you have your own record from the start.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an extra charge for overseas owners?
No. Acting as your New Zealand agent is part of the one management fee.
Who signs the tenancy agreement?
We do, in your name, under the authority you give us. You approve the tenant first.
Do I pay New Zealand tax on the rent?
Yes. Rental income from a New Zealand property is taxed here even if you live abroad, and non-residents file their own return. We don’t give tax advice, but the end-of-year summary gives your accountant every figure they need.
What if I move back into the property?
There is no letting fee if you move back in. We end the tenancy in the way the law allows for an owner moving in, with the notice it requires.
Page reviewed 19 October 2026.
Your inspection reports and statements stay in your owner portal, so the whole history of the property is in one place, wherever you live.
Start the appraisal from overseas.
We visit the property and send you a written appraisal, so you can decide without flying home.