Begin with the tenancy before committing to a campaign or settlement date. A sale may continue with the tenant in place, or a buyer may seek vacant possession. These are different situations. The tenancy type, contract and current law determine what is possible; selling the property does not itself end the tenancy.
Give your agent and lawyer the tenancy agreement, dates, rent and bond records, notices and relevant maintenance or compliance documents. Explain any unresolved issue. Discuss whether the likely buyer is seeking a home to occupy or an investment with an existing tenancy; that affects both marketing and the information needed.
Tenants must be informed in writing when the home is put on the market. Photography and buyer or professional access require permission. Tenants can place reasonable conditions on access and may require appointment-only viewings rather than open homes. Record an agreed schedule and avoid including personal possessions in images without the appropriate consent.
Plan preparation, repairs and viewings around the fact that this is someone’s home. A routine inspection right should not be used as a substitute for sale-viewing permission.
Before offering vacant possession, ask your lawyer and property manager to check the tenancy and notice requirements. A fixed term and a periodic tenancy are not interchangeable. Current periodic rules include different notice grounds and lengths; the correct process depends on whether the property is being marketed without a tenancy or has sold unconditionally with a vacant-possession requirement. Do not choose a settlement date on an assumed notice period.
The tenancy can continue after a sale. Arrange accurate tenancy, landlord and bond-record changes and tell the tenant who takes over, when and how future rent should be paid. Review what records the purchaser needs and use verified payment channels.
Speak with Ray White Kaitaia about a sales appraisal and involve the property manager early. Ask for a written campaign, access and information plan, then have your lawyer confirm any possession and agreement terms. Read current Tenancy Services guidance on selling a rental. Call 09 408 2900 to connect the sales and management conversation.
For rental preparation and resources, explore our Landlord Journey and Landlord and Investment Guides.