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The Staircase Advantage: How Expert Property Management Eliminates Rent Arrears

  • Writer: Staircase Financial
    Staircase Financial
  • May 23
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jul 26

In today's property investment landscape, consistent rental income is the foundation of successful property investing. Yet across New Zealand, rent arrears remain the number one challenge for landlords. At Staircase Property Management, we've developed systems that dramatically outperform the industry, protecting your investment and maximizing returns.


A recent survey also showed that a record net 33% of landlords are now finding it hard to get a good tenant compared to a year ago, where it was a net 14%.

This means in 2025, twice as many landlords are struggling to find good tenants! This shows that despite the challenges within the market, Staircase Property Management are able to deliver outstanding results.


Staircase's Proven Performance: Industry-Leading Results


While many property managers struggle with rent collection, Staircase Property Management delivers exceptional results:


  • Auckland: 1.49% rent arrears (vs. industry average of 4%)

  • Tauranga: 0% rent arrears

  • Queenstown: 0% rent arrears


This performance isn't just marginally better—it's transformative for your property investment returns. Our Auckland properties experience 62.75% fewer rent arrears issues than the industry average, translating directly to more reliable income and less stress for property owners.



In today's investment landscape, consistent rental income is the foundation of successful property investing. Yet across New Zealand, rent arrears remain the number one challenge for landlords. At Staircase Property Management, we've developed systems that dramatically outperform the industry, protecting your investment and maximizing returns.



Staircase's Proven Performance: Industry-Leading Results



While many property managers struggle with rent collection, Staircase Property Management delivers exceptional results:

•	Auckland: 1.49% rent arrears (vs. industry average of 4%)

•	Tauranga: 0% rent arrears

•	Queenstown: 0% rent arrears



This performance isn't just marginally better—it's transformative for your investment returns. Our Auckland properties experience 62.75% fewer rent arrears issues than the industry average, translating directly to more reliable income and less stress for property owners.









Rent Arrears Comparison:  Staircase vs Industry Average
Rent Arrears Comparison: Staircase vs Industry Average

The Alarming Reality of Rent Arrears in New Zealand


The broader rental market tells a concerning story. According to the latest statistics from Tenancy Services (Q4 2024):


  • 62.64% of all landlord applications to the Tenancy Tribunal were for rent arrears

  • 4,924 specific applications were made regarding tenants not paying rent

  • 45.81% of all Tenancy Tribunal applications came from Auckland properties


These statistics reveal that rent arrears are by far the most common serious issue landlords face, with Auckland properties experiencing these problems at significantly higher rates than other regions.


The Financial Impact on Your Property Investment Returns


What does our performance mean for your bottom line? Let's examine the numbers:

Current rental yields in New Zealand average between 3.9% and 4.6% depending on region. For a typical investment property valued at $600,000:


Management Company

Arrears Rate

Annual Rent ($600k property)

Monthly Loss to Arrears

Annual Loss to Arrears

Industry Average

4.0%

$23,400

$78.00

$936.00

Staircase (Auckland)

1.49%

$23,400

$29.06

$348.72

Staircase (Tauranga)

0%

$23,400

$0

$0

Your Savings with Staircase



$48.94/month

$587.28/year

But these figures only show the direct losses. They don't account for:


  • Administrative costs of chasing payments

  • Legal fees for Tenancy Tribunal applications

  • Stress and time investment from property owners

  • Potential vacancy periods if tenancies need to be terminated


The Methodology Behind Our Success


  1. Strategic Tenant Selection


Our rigorous screening process examines:

  • Checking to see if they are able to afford rent

  • Comprehensive credit history checks

  • Previous rental references and payment history

  • Thorough background screening


  1. Proactive Communication Systems


Our property managers implement:

  • Automated payment reminders

  • Multiple convenient payment options

  • Early intervention when payments fall behind

  • Clear communication channels with tenants


Staircase Property Managers are the best in New Zealand.
Staircase Property Managers working closely with our clients
  1. Regular Property Inspections


We maintain property standards through:

  • Scheduled professional inspections

  • Detailed documentation and reporting

  • Immediate attention to maintenance needs

  • Fostering positive tenant relationships


  1. Dedicated Rent Collection Protocols


Our structured approach includes:

  • Systematic rent monitoring and tracking

  • Immediate follow-up on late payments

  • Legally-compliant reminder processes

  • Escalation procedures when necessary


Auckland's Unique Challenges Mastered


With 45.81% of all Tenancy Tribunal applications coming from Auckland (despite having approximately 33% of New Zealand's population), the region clearly experiences higher rates of rental issues.


Our Auckland-specific strategies have allowed us to overcome these regional challenges, delivering a rent arrears rate of just 1.49% compared to the 4% other property managers report.


What Our Clients Say


As Auckland's highest-rated property management company with a 4.9/5 star rating from 551 Google reviews, our clients consistently highlight our exceptional performance:


"Staircase has managed my Auckland properties for three years, and I've never experienced a single month of missed rent. Their tenant selection process and proactive management approach have been invaluable."

"After switching to Staircase from another property manager, my rental income is more consistent and my stress levels are significantly lower. The difference in professionalism is remarkable."
Staircase Property Management boasts the highest 5 star ratings on Google Business Reviews because they are the best property management company in New Zealand.
Staircase Property Management boasts the highest 5 star ratings on Google Business Reviews

The Bottom Line: Superior Property Management Equals Better Returns


The data is clear: while rent arrears remain the number one issue for New Zealand landlords, accounting for 62.64% of all Tenancy Tribunal applications, Staircase Property Management has developed systems that dramatically reduce this risk.


Our performance across all regions, but particularly in challenging markets like Auckland, demonstrates that with the right property management, investors can:


  1. Significantly reduce rent arrears (by up to 62.75% compared to industry averages)

  2. Minimize time spent on administrative and legal issues

  3. Maintain higher effective yields on their investments

  4. Enjoy greater peace of mind and less stress


Why Choose Staircase Property Management?


As the best property management company in Auckland and across New Zealand, Staircase offers:

  • Proven performance: Industry-leading rent arrears rates (1.49% in Auckland, 0% in Tauranga and Queenstown)

  • Comprehensive services: Full-service property management tailored to your property investment goals

  • Geographic expertise: Specialized knowledge of Auckland, Tauranga, and Queenstown markets

  • Exceptional reputation: 4.9/5 stars from 552 Google reviews

  • Transparent reporting: Regular updates on property performance and market trends

  • Investment protection: Maximizing returns while minimizing risks


Take the Next Step


Don't let your investment property become another Tenancy Tribunal statistic. Join the growing number of satisfied investors who trust Staircase Property Management to protect and maximize their rental returns.


Contact us today to discover how our proven approach can transform your property investment experience and significantly reduce your risk of rent arrears.





This blog post is based on official Tenancy Services data from Q4 2024, current market yields from CoreLogic and Global Property Guide, and Staircase Property Management's verified performance metrics across Auckland, Tauranga, and Queenstown as at 23rd May 2025.

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This publication has been provided for general information only. Although every effort has been made to ensure this publication is accurate the contents should not be relied upon or used as a basis for entering into any products described in this publication. To the extent that any information or recommendations in this publication constitute financial advice, they do not take into account any person’s particular financial situation or goals. We strongly recommend readers seek independent legal/financial advice prior to acting in relation to any of the matters discussed in this publication. No person involved in this publication accepts any liability for any loss or damage whatsoever which may directly or indirectly result from any advice, opinion, information, representation, or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, contained in this publication.

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