Taranaki Property Investors Association Inc

Code of Ethics

The purpose of this code is to provide a set of values and principles that express standards of ethical and professional behaviour for the guidance of members of the Taranaki Property Investors Association Inc. The code cannot be made binding or enforceable without a rule change to the TPIA constitution.

Integrity

Members should be fair, honest and sincere in all their business relationships, be they with fellow property investors, tenants or prospective tenants, and suppliers of goods and services. Integrity implies not only honesty but fair dealing and truthfulness and, as far as is practical, avoidance of conflicts of interest.

Professional Behaviour

Members should conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the Federation and the property investors association of which they are a member.

Confidentiality

Members should respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of business and abide by the prevailing legislative provisions relating to privacy of information.

Knowledge of Obligations

Members should at all times ensure they are knowledgeable and up to date about the laws and best practices relevant to the owning, managing and renting of property.

Compliance with Legislation

Members should at all times ensure they comply with the laws relating to the owning, managing and renting of property.

Proper Records

Members should ensure that they establish and maintain at all times proper business and accounting records sufficient to be able to distinguish they business activities from their personal financial affairs.

Property Standards

Notwithstanding the obligations of members to comply with any lawful requirements in respect of property, members should always strive to maintain and present property to standards of repair, cleanliness and interior comfort that exceed the minimum requirements of the law.

Tenant Relationships

In any dealings with a tenant, a member should act as a service provider to a client and:

1. Not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, culture, age, religion, martial status or disability;
2.  Ensure a tenancy agreement has been properly entered into for every tenancy;
3. At the commencement of a tenancy promptly lodge any bond monies received with the Department of Building & Housing and, at the conclusion of a tenancy, act without delay to facilitate the refund of any bond monies owed to a tenant;
4. Keep proper records of rental payments for each tenant;
5. Ensure any tenant has been provided with all necessary contact details so that the tenant may contact the member or the property manager at all reasonable times and in an emergency; 
6. Act promptly to investigate and remedy any reasonable request of a tenant in relation to the state of maintenance or repair of a tenancy;
7. Not interfere with the peace, comfort, quiet enjoyment and privacy of a tenant; and
8. Ensure that tenants always receive value for money and charge no more than the applicable prevailing fair market rental.