Tenants’ Action Wellington will give a demonstration outside Quinovic, the infamous property management company, on Thursday 28 July.

Quinovic Property Management has a national network of franchise-owned offices throughout New Zealand and manages several properties in Wellington. They have a long-standing reputation as a ruthless organisation, committed to enriching property owners and themselves at the expense of tenants.

“Everyone has a Quinovic story,” says Tenants' Action Wellington spokesperson Anne Campbell. “Although they are far from the only offender, they are certainly one of the highest-profile and continue to profit from a crisis that has left so many New Zealanders without healthy, affordable or secure homes.”

New Zealand is undergoing a housing crisis that has only gotten worse under successive National and Labour governments. In Aotearoa today, people continue to get sick and even die every winter because their house is too mouldy and damp. House prices are skyrocketing, making it impossible for most people to buy a home. Since there are no limits on how many houses one person can own, some people own more than 50 properties. On its website, Quinovic proudly declares that it has managed over 100,000 tenancies since 1988.

Campbell says, “More of us are now permanent renters, with next to no housing rights or protection. Landlords and property managers in Aotearoa have almost total power over our lives. We are living in damaged housing, paying unreasonable bonds, and enduring landlords and property managers who show up at random. Without long-term leases, we have no security about where we live. We are paying sometimes over half our income on rent, and yet we can’t call these homes our own.”

It's easy to despair at this dire situation. However, Tenants’ Action believes that renters can improve things by questioning the power wielded by landlords and property managers.

Tenants’ Action has 10 demands that any landlord or property manager can make immediately if they choose to, rather than waiting for governmental or legal intervention. The demonstration will give Quinovic an opportunity, as a high-profile property manager, to implement these demands in its internal policy. This would be a significant gesture to recognise its duty to operate ethically in its position of power over tenants and would set an example that other landlords and property managers can follow.

Quinovic does not currently comply with any of these demands.

Demonstrators are encouraged to gather at the bucket fountain from 4pm to make their way to Quinovic’s Kent Terrace office shortly afterwards on Thursday 28 July.

Tenants’ Action’s 10 Demands

1. All rent prices permanently lowered to 25% of the lowest benefit.

2. Landlords must provide evidence they're addressing repairs, including accessibility issues, within one week of being notified by tenants.

3. Tenants in substandard housing must be appropriately relocated at landlord's expense during major repairs or renovations.

4. Minimum tenancy length five years. Tenants may exit at will.

5. A permanent end to evictions during cold weather months (May to September), holiday periods, and emergencies such as natural disasters or pandemics.

6. Abolish bond and all substitutes. Hand back all bond from landlord to tenant regardless of contract. Costs of repairing any damages will be covered by existing rent payments.

7. Pets allowed in all flats, including dogs.

8. No entering the property uninvited AT ALL. Flat inspections abolished.

9. Landlords cannot ask prospective tenants for credit checks, employment history or any other references.

10. Landlords must provide 365 days’ notice before selling or reoccupying the house.

About Tenants’ Action Wellington

Tenants’ Action is a grassroots left-wing movement that puts renters first. Our group includes homeowners who support our kaupapa, but all our action is focused on helping renters. We are focused on direct action, which means using our power directly against landlords.

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