Rental FAQs

For questions about a Ray White Invercargill rental, contact your property manager or our office on 03 218 6117. You can also find our property management team or email rentals.invercargill.nz@raywhite.com.

How do I arrange a viewing?

Check the property listing for viewing arrangements and contact the named property manager. Viewing times need to be coordinated with the current occupants and the property manager’s appointments. Confirm your booking before attending.

How do I report a repair?

Tell your property manager promptly when something needs repair or maintenance. For non-urgent work, send a written description with the property address, the problem, when it started and photographs if available. Use our Repairs and Maintenance page for the office’s reporting process.

For an urgent problem, call your property manager and follow up in writing as soon as possible. Do not rely on an online enquiry for an urgent response. If people are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

Which problems need urgent attention?

Report problems that could injure someone, make the property insecure or cause further damage immediately. Examples include a serious leak, sewage overflow, suspected gas leak, loss of water, an unsafe electrical fault, or a blocked toilet where there is no other toilet available.

If there is a wider electricity outage, check with your electricity provider. Do not delay reporting a fault within the property while trying to diagnose it yourself.

What can I check safely?

Only carry out simple checks you can do safely. Do not dismantle appliances, electrical fittings, gas equipment or plumbing. Tell your property manager if the problem continues.

No hot water or an oven that will not work

Check the appliance’s normal user controls and instructions, including an oven timer setting. Check whether there is a known electricity outage. If you suspect a gas or electrical fault, stop using the equipment and report it promptly.

A blocked sink, shower or toilet

Remove visible hair or debris from an accessible removable drain catcher if it is safe to do so. Report a persistent blockage to your property manager. If there is an overflow, sewage or no usable toilet, treat it as urgent. Ask for advice before using a chemical drain cleaner.

A smoke alarm that beeps or does not work

Contact your property manager promptly if a smoke alarm is faulty or you are unsure what the warning means. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for a replaceable battery. Do not remove or disable an alarm to silence it.

Pests or a new carpet stain

Keep food waste contained and the property reasonably clean. Report a persistent pest problem so the cause and appropriate treatment can be assessed. Seek professional carpet-cleaning advice before attempting to treat a new stain.

How is access for repairs arranged?

Discuss access with your property manager and the contractor. Let them know promptly if you cannot keep an agreed appointment. Access must follow the applicable tenancy requirements; see Tenancy Services guidance on access.

Who pays for repairs or damage?

Responsibility depends on the cause and the applicable tenancy rules. Tenants are not responsible for fair wear and tear. Damage caused intentionally or carelessly is treated differently, and limits can apply to careless-damage liability. A tradesperson attending does not, by itself, make the tenant liable for the invoice.

Discuss any proposed charge and its basis with your property manager. Read Tenancy Services guidance on damage and repairs for the current rules and dispute options.

Can I keep a pet at the property?

Check the agreement and contact your property manager before bringing a new pet home. Current rules distinguish pets already lawfully kept before 1 December 2025 from new pet requests. New requests require the appropriate consent process; reasonable conditions and a pet bond may apply. Use Tenancy Services’ current pet guidance rather than assuming an old listing or another property’s policy applies to your home. Tell the manager about the pet and property so the request can be considered properly.

What if my household or circumstances change?

Speak with your property manager before changing the named tenants or making assumptions about an assignment, additional occupant or subletting. Keep your phone and email details current. If paying rent becomes difficult, contact the manager early to discuss the circumstances and keep a written record of any agreed arrangement; do not assume the bond substitutes for rent.

Where can I find move-in and move-out guidance?

Use Starting a Tenancy for the agreement, payments, keys and condition report. When planning a move, read Ending a Tenancy and Bond Information and confirm notice and final inspection arrangements before booking removals. You can also read our Tenant Information Guide.

Have another rental question?

Use the contact form below for a non-urgent enquiry, or contact Ray White Invercargill at 33 Arena Ave, Invercargill. For an urgent repair, call your property manager.