August 2025 wrap up – Whats happening with Auckland Rentals.

August 2025 Auckland Market Wrap: Rates, Insurance & Market Shifts

As we move into the second half of the year, there’s plenty happening in Auckland’s property landscape — from council rate rises and lending updates to new tools for owners. Here’s what you need to know.

Council Rates to Increase 5.8%

Auckland Council has confirmed a 5.8% rates increase for the 2025/2026 year. For an average-value residential property, that’s around $223 a year — or roughly $4.29 per week.

While rate increases are never popular, this year’s adjustment reflects ongoing investment in city infrastructure, transport, and recovery projects.

You can view the full plan and budget summary here:
Annual Plan 2025/2026

Insurance Reminder: Are You Covered?

With delays in Tenancy Tribunal hearings and new pet laws on the horizon, now’s a good time to check your insurance coverage. In particular, make sure your policy includes:

Gradual damage (such as hidden leaks or mould)
Tenant arrears and loss of rent
Pet-related damage

We’re seeing increasing delays with the court system, which means if a tenant falls behind on rent, regaining possession could take longer than it once did — and the bond may not cover the arrears.

We’re currently working with insurance specialists to identify the best products available, especially as pet-friendly rentals become more common. For now, the Real Landlord Policy remains one of the most comprehensive options on the market, covering both arrears and a wide range of damages. At around $500 per year per property, it’s peace of mind that may be well worth the investment for many investors.

(Note: we’re not licensed insurance advisors, but we can connect you with trusted brokers for a professional second opinion.)

Market Insight: Interest Rates & Lending

There’s some good news for buyers and investors — banks are lowering their “test rates”, which are used to assess loan serviceability.

While it’s not a direct cut to the Official Cash Rate, this move increases borrowing power for many.

These recent market insights are worth a read:

Our New Owner Portal – Now Live

We’re excited to announce that our new online Owner Portal is live! Once you’re in, you’ll be able to:

View your full property portfolio and tenancy status
Download monthly statements and documents anytime

We hope this tool makes managing your investment even easier — offering greater visibility and control, whenever you need it.

Wrapping Up

Between council updates, insurance reviews, and lending shifts, July has been a month of progress and fine-tuning.

As always, our team is here if you’d like to chat about rates, insurance, lending, or your property in general.

Thank you for being part of the Wendell community.

– Natalie & the Wendell Property Team