Most people buy an investment property as the ultimate way to earn passive income while safeguarding their future. But what many landlords don’t realise is that managing your own rental can quickly become a second job, and one with legal risks. 

From tenant communication to maintenance coordination to legal compliance, self-managing can quickly become overwhelming. And with ongoing updates to the Residential Tenancies Act and Healthy Homes compliance deadlines, the job is becoming more complex, technical, and time-consuming than ever.

What is passive income vs active income?

Xero defines passive income as “money that you don’t have to actively work for; it comes in from something that already exists and continues to work for you. While active income is earned by working a job or running a business, passive income is designed to keep paying you without ongoing effort.” 

If you’re handling the day-to-day management of your rental yourself, you’re not earning passive income. You’re working for it.

It is another task on your to-do list when you'd rather be winding down at the end of the day or spending time with your children. It’s even more disruptive when you're on holiday, juggling family demands, or putting your tenant's needs ahead of your own.

So how do you make your rental income truly passive?

A rental property's income becomes passive when you are not actively managing it and you have outsourced it to a property manager. Having professional property management does include fees, but they are relatively affordable and what you gain is far more valuable = time.

Time to grow your portfolio or other investments, focus on your family, or simply enjoy your weekends again.

At South Property, we have been helping Dunedin, Mosgiel and East Otago landlords for more than 15 years.
Let us take care of:

  • Advertising, viewings and lease agreements

  • Checking rent has been paid and chasing arrears

  • Scheduling repairs and maintenance 

  • Responding to tenant texts, emails, and late-night calls

  • Complying with RTA changes and keeping your investment safe

  • Completing inspections and writing reports

Let’s make your investment work for you — not the other way around.

Book your free, no-obligation rental appraisal now or call us for a confidential chat on 03 487 8351.