PukekoPlus rent guarantee - conditions apply

How PukekoPlus fits with everyday property management in Hamilton

What PukekoPlus is

PukekoPlus is an add-on to my standard management that keeps your scheduled rent coming in when an approved, in-place tenant falls into arrears. While you continue to receive rent, I handle the recovery steps with the tenant, including notices, bond application and, if necessary, a well-prepared Tenancy Tribunal claim. It is not an insurance policy. It is a targeted rent continuity service that sits on top of my daily arrears monitoring, clear reporting and firm but fair follow-up.

What PukekoPlus is not

PukekoPlus does not cover gaps between tenancies. If a tenant vacates and it takes three weeks to place the next tenant, that vacancy is not covered. PukekoPlus only applies when the tenant remains in the property and is not paying. It also does not cover damage, agreed rent reductions, or situations where I did not place the current tenant. Keeping the scope clear protects the fund and ensures the guarantee is there when it is genuinely needed.

Why eligibility matters

One of the conditions of PukekoPlus is that I must have placed the tenant myself. That is because the guarantee relies on my full process - marketing, viewings, credit and background checks, and suitability assessment. If I take over a management with an existing tenant who was placed by another manager or directly by the owner, PukekoPlus becomes available only after that tenant has vacated and I have re-let the property through my process. This is not about being difficult. It is about responsibility. I will happily tell you straight whether your property is eligible and when the guarantee can start.

How it works when a tenant stops paying

If an eligible tenant stops paying, I act immediately. I contact the tenant, confirm the arrears in writing, and set out the steps and timeframes. Commonly this happens when a tenant gives notice and assumes their bond will be used to cover the final rent - some do. Under PukekoPlus, your rent continues to be paid to you while I progress the file. At the end of the tenancy, I apply the bond to what is owed. If the shortfall is greater than the bond, I prepare and file a Tenancy Tribunal application to recover the remaining amount. A hearing can take a minimum of eight weeks to be scheduled, which is exactly why owners value the rent continuity. You stay paid while I do the careful, by-the-book work to get the money back.

Helpful references

For context on the rights and obligations around rent arrears and bonds, Tenancy Services provides clear, plain-English guidance for landlords and tenants, which aligns with the way I operate. I keep the evidence tidy - tenancy agreement, rent ledger, notices and inspection records - so the case is well supported and straightforward.