Good Girls Property Management fined for 20 tenancy infractions, landlords may need to read the book again

It began with a squeaky door and a missing smoke detector in a one‑bedroom flat in Glen Innes, but the tribunal’s investigation revealed a pattern of repeated breaches across twenty different tenancies.

Good Girls Property Management, whose name suggests a trust in propriety, was found to have ignored mandatory tenancy agreements, neglected to conduct health‑and‑safety checks and failed to return security deposits in a timely fashion. The fine, calculated at $35 000, is the latest reminder that the name of a company does not guarantee compliance.

The tribunal’s findings were delivered in a stern yet oddly polite tone, reflecting the New Zealand tendency to mix sternness with a touch of humour. ‘Good Girls’ may have thought it was a model of management, but the evidence showed otherwise.

In a move that could be seen as a ‘no‑no’ to future missteps, the regulator recommended a mandatory audit for all tenancies managed by the firm, effectively turning the company’s portfolio into a living laboratory for tenancy law.

The case also prompted a flurry of comments from local landlords, many of whom expressed relief that the tribunal’s scrutiny is not limited to a single property. ‘If a company named Good Girls can slip through, we’re all at risk,’ one landlord mused.

While the fine is sizeable, the tribunal emphasised that the real penalty was the reputational damage – a reminder that even in Auckland’s bustling rental market, the law keeps its eyes on every corner.

As the market watches, the story serves as a cautionary tale: good intentions, a catchy name, or even a tidy office do not excuse the duty of landlords to uphold the rights of tenants. The next time a landlord signs a contract, they may wish to double‑check the fine print, or at least bring a lawyer to the coffee shop.