Owners

Our director Mike Atkinson joined Tim Beverage on the OneRoof Radio Show recently to talk through what’s happening in the New Zealand rental market right now.

For years, every property management company in New Zealand has been working from the same toolbox. PropertyMe for the trust accounting. Tapi for maintenance. Renti for applications. Trade Me for listings. Good tools, but the same tools your competitor uses, with the same limits on what they can do for you as an owner.

Whether you’re using a broader real estate listing website like Trade Me Property or you’re listing privately through a property management firm, the quality of your rental property listing will partially define the quality of the tenants you see applying.

Being a landlord in New Zealand is a journey that comes with plenty of rewards, but as anyone who has owned a rental property for a while will tell you, it also comes with its fair share of late-night worries.

Property investment is one of New Zealand’s favourite wealth-building strategies, but it only works well when the day-to-day is managed properly.

Did you know your property management fee is fully tax deductible? We break down exactly what that means for your rental income – with real numbers.

The top-10 questions asked by new landlords – answered by Aspire.

At Aspire, we are currently renting properties SIX days faster than our competitors. We have a median “days on the market” of 16, versus the industry average of 22.

Yesterday, our Managing Director Mike Atkinson joined the One Roof Radio Show to unpack two of the biggest topics facing landlords right now:

Meeting New Zealand’s Healthy Homes Standards is one of the most important responsibilities for any landlord.

Are you thinking about investing in residential property or already own one or more rental properties?

As a landlord or property manager in New Zealand, it’s important to understand the Healthy Homes Standards. As of 1st July 2025 every rental property in NZ must comply with the standards to be rented out. 

Mike joins the One Roof Radio Show again, this time discussing the challenging state of the rental market for landlords, tips for how to get your property rented, and he delves into the upcoming pet law change, and how it will be difficult to say no to pets.

Radio NZ contacted Aspire to discuss the state of the Auckland rental market. They interviewed Managing Director, Mike Atkinson, and a reporter attended two of our property viewings to get feedback directly from house-hunters. 

Aspire’s Managing Director, Mike Atkinson, chats with Leah Panapa about the latest facts and figures for the rental market in New Zealand.

Mike Atkinson, Aspire’s Managing Director, was invited to the One Roof Radio Show on NewstalkZB…

Conditions are improving for property investors thanks to recent OCR cuts and changes to the Residential Tenancies Act…

While self-managing your rental properties may seem like a cost-saving option, the challenges and potential risks often outweigh the benefits of using a property management company. Read and make an informed choice!

Is it worth it to have professional photography for rental properties? Let’s explore the financial and strategic benefits of using professional photography.

Owning an investment property can be rewarding, but it comes with its fair share of responsibilities. One of the most critical aspects of property ownership is maintenance. Regular maintenance not only preserves the value of your investment but also keeps tenants happy and reduces long-term costs. Here’s why maintenance is important and some key areas to focus on.

Did you know that as a residential or commercial landlord, your rental property is considered a business, and you are considered a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU); for the purposes of applying the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015?

There are worries that the Government’s adjustments to tenancy regulations might not have an impact on rental prices. A proposed Bill set to be introduced to Parliament aims to reinstate 90-day no-cause terminations for periodic tenancies, a provision that was removed by the Labour government last term.

I’m sure most of you are aware that under the new government, mortgage interest deductibility is being phased back in. 80% of interest expenses are able to be claimed from 1st April 2024, and 100% from 1st April 2025.

Property management plays an important role in ensuring the seamless operation and financial success of any real estate portfolio. As a property owner or investor, understanding the distinctions between residential and commercial property management is essential if you are planning to invest in either, especially if you are a residential investor and you are planning to try your hand at commercial property investment. 

When it comes to renting out your property, one crucial decision you must make is whether to offer it furnished or unfurnished. While the allure of higher rental income might seem enticing, there are significant drawbacks that you need to consider before deciding to furnish your rental property.  

Having the right property manager for your investment property is crucial. For most of us, our investment property is our biggest, or second biggest asset; so it’s important to choose the best property manager you can.  A professional property management company can make owning a rental property stress free and easy – allowing you to focus on other things and helping you to expand your rental portfolio more quickly. 

Big changes are ahead with the formation of the National/ACT/NZ First coalition government.

An increase in migration and a shortage of property investors are believed to be causing a surge in rental prices nationwide. Rental rates have reached historically high levels, rising by 6.1% in the year leading up to October, with Auckland experiencing an even steeper increase of 8.5% over the past year.

Investing in rental properties has long been a popular investment strategy for New Zealanders.

The dust of the election is still settling, but we want to keep you informed about how potential changes may impact you as a property investor.  

Are you considering investing in commercial real estate or already own commercial properties? If so, understanding the ins and outs of commercial property management is essential for ensuring the success of your investment.

Rents are on the rise again. After a period of rental price stability in late 2022, rent is now increasing in most categories of housing and suburbs. According to the latest Trade Me data, the median weekly rent in Auckland has risen to a new record high of $660 per week, which is a 10% increase from 12-months prior (May 2022 – May 2023). Median weekly rent on average for the Waikato region has increased 6.7% and Bay of Plenty 8.3%.

On Friday 12th May 2023, Aspire Property Management’s Managing Director Mike Atkinson was interviewed by Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB, and by the NZ Herald regarding pets in rental properties, after two concerning rulings from the tenancy tribunal.

Aspire Property Management is rated 4.9/5 on Google with over 200 reviews. We get positive reviews from our landlords and our tenants because we are committed to providing an excellent rental experience for both parties.

Aspire Property Management provides accurate and reliable information that helps landlords and potential landlords make the right property decisions. Our rental appraisal process is stress-free and comes with no obligation to use our property management services.

There have been important changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) that make it easier for victims of family violence to end their tenancies.

We have seen a rise in reports of asbestos contamination in rental properties with increases in ACC claims and tribunal payouts as tenants fight against landlords.

Changes have been imposed on all landlords and property managers concerning the privacy of tenant data and personal information as per the Privacy Act 2020. The below posts outlines how this impacts our process when finding you a tenant.

Please find below an explanation of how we use our proven lettings process to get you the right tenant at the best price, without leaving you exposed to vacancy. We have formulated this process based on ten years of experience in the rental market.

It’s a time when your property needs extra attention and it’s important to rent your property efficiently and to the right tenants.

If a property is affected by storm water and can no longer be safely occupied (flooding from stormwater is considered a health and safety hazard due to it containing many toxins), then section 59 of the RTA, the destruction of premises, comes into play.

When we work with landlords who are new to owning investment property, we get many requests to ask tenants to adhere to certain rules. And we get asked to select a certain type of tenant. There are things we can do to ensure we select the best tenants, but we can’t discriminate, and we can’t put rules in place that are outside of the Residential Tenancies Act. 

Aspire Property Management has been looking after commercial property across New Zealand since 2013. We oversee all commercial property types, from small retail units, shopping complexes, and daycare centres through to large industrial units.

The recent weather events in the North Island have provided big challenges for affected tenants and landlords. Tenants have needed to find new homes and landlords have been left with big repair jobs and uninhabitable properties. Before the floods and the cyclone we were seeing a small upturn in the rental market, and these events have expedited a return to rising rents in some categories of housing and suburbs.  

Choosing the right property management company in Auckland is crucial for maximising rental returns and ensuring peace of mind. Based on client feedback, Google reviews, and industry expertise, we’ve compiled a list of the top property managers in Auckland for 2025.