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Owning an investment property can be a great way to build wealth, but managing it yourself comes with a host of challenges—from dealing with difficult tenants to navigating complex tenancy laws. 

If you're unsure whether you should hire a property manager, ask yourself these key questions.

What will you do if your tenant stops paying their rent?

How do you feel about confronting your tenant about their missed rent payment and taking action if it is required?

The worst form of action regarding rental arrears is no action. So, if your tenant decides to stop paying their rent, they must be followed up religiously until it is resolved. If it can’t be resolved, then you must feel adequate in issuing a breach notice.

When it comes to rental arrears, property managers have regular systems in place to deal with them. 

At South Property, we monitor rent everyday. We identify when a payment has been missed, follow up with the tenant, remediate on the missed rent and decide on any cause for action such as issuing a notice. This means you do not need to spend any time trying to contact tenants and deal with potential confrontation or conflict.

Are you emotionally attached to your property?

If your rental was once your family home or a property you’ve personally improved, it’s natural to feel emotionally connected to it. However, this attachment can make it difficult to make objective decisions.

A professional property manager provides a buffer between you and the day-to-day decisions, ensuring choices are made with a clear, investment-focused mindset. At South Property, we understand how important your property is to you, which is why we carefully select tenants who will treat it with care and respect.

By removing the emotional stress of managing your own rental, you can focus on the benefits of property ownership—without the worry.

How will you advertise your rental property?

Typically, DIY owners advertise their property on social media, sometimes on TradeMe, or by placing an ad on the online community board. With less marketing options, you can risk the chance of not finding the best tenant. 

A part of our role at South Property is to find you the best tenant that will look after your property, pay rent on time and meet all their obligations. We use multiple websites to advertise your rental investment in addition to For Rent signs, social media and our networks.

We also know how to write the perfect copy to grab prospective tenants’ attention, and present your property with quality photos and video.

Do you have Landlord Insurance?

Did you know that there is insurance specifically for rental properties? These types of policies include cover for rental arrears, contents cover, malicious damages, liability and much more. 

Several landlord insurance policies exist, but Real Landlord Insurance stands out. Their comprehensive, competitively priced policy is exclusively available to properties managed by professionals, ensuring better protection and fewer claims.

Your property manager should have application forms for this type of insurance and can organise in part on your behalf.

 

How will you conduct tenant background checks?

Selecting the right tenant is crucial to protecting your investment. A thorough background check, including credit and reference checks, helps ensure you’re choosing a reliable tenant who will pay rent on time and take care of your property.

At South Property, we follow a rigorous screening process that includes multiple landlord and employer references. We also use Tenancy.co.nz to conduct multi-bureau background checks, including credit checks—an industry-leading resource that’s only available to professional property managers.

By working with us, you gain access to tools and expertise that private landlords don’t, giving you greater peace of mind when selecting tenants.

 

Will you be able to complete regular inspections?

Routine inspections are essential for maintaining your property and ensuring tenants are meeting their obligations. Inspections should be conducted every three months, but many DIY landlords get busy and start skipping them—especially if tenants seem to be "doing fine." This can lead to unnoticed maintenance issues that escalate into costly repairs.

At South Property, we conduct comprehensive quarterly inspections, complete with detailed reports and photos. Regular inspections help:

• Identify maintenance issues before they become major problems

• Ensure tenants are caring for the property

• Reduce the risk of illegal activities, such as meth contamination

With a property manager handling inspections, you can be confident your investment is being properly looked after—without the hassle and time commitment from you.

Do you have the time to manage the paper work?

Owning a rental property comes with a steady stream of paperwork—rental agreements, invoices, financial statements, and tax documentation. Keeping everything organized and up to date can be time-consuming, especially if you manage multiple properties.

At South Property, we use specialist property management software to handle all aspects of your rental’s finances. We provide:

• Monthly or twice-monthly payments

• Up-to-date rental statements with invoice attachments

• End-of-year financial summaries—ready for tax time

With a professional property manager, you can save time, reduce stress, and ensure everything is handled efficiently.

 

Do you have relationships with Tradespeople?

How will you deal with a pipe bursting at your investment property at 8pm? Will you be nearby to attend to it?

Emergencies can happen at any time. With a property manager, you have a dedicated team ready to handle urgent repairs, so you don’t have to.

We, at South Property are ‘on call’ to attend to any emergencies that arise out of business hours and pride ourselves on our network of tradespeople we can rely on for call outs when problems arise.

 

Do you understand the Residential Tenancy Act 1986?

Tenancy law is complex and ever-evolving, and is crucial to know when you are managing a rental property.

As property managers, we have a thorough understanding of the legislation, to ensure that we are meeting all legal obligations. We are committed to ongoing professional development that ensures we stay up-to-date with any law changes.

 

How will you deal with rent increases?

How often will you increase the rent on your investment, how will you calculate this figure, and how will you communicate this to your tenants?

Professional property managers have an established routine for annual rent increases, preventing any unnecessary delays or missed opportunities to boost rental income. 

When the rental price for your property comes up for review, we will complete a market analysis to determine the most accurate market rent for your property and make sure that the rent increase, documentation and tenant communication complies with the RTA.

 

How do you feel about attending a Tenancy Tribunal hearing?

There may be a time where you are required to attend a Tenancy Tribunal hearing. In doing so, it is imperative that you have all your paperwork in order and feel confident in filling and lodging court applications and attending the hearing.

If you don’t have the time or ability to do this, you should strongly consider having one, as they understand the rules and procedures of the Tenancy Tribunal and what is expected of them. 

Managing a rental property isn’t just about collecting rent—it’s about handling compliance, maintenance, and tenant relationships efficiently. A professional property manager takes care of all these complexities, ensuring your investment is well-maintained, legally compliant, and generating the best possible returns.

At South Property, we provide expert management so you can enjoy the benefits of your rental property without the stress. Get in touch today to see how we can help maximise your investment.