The worse than expected GPD result for the September quarter could mean cuts to the OCR may kick in next year – much sooner than the RBNZ is predicting.

A huge surge of new immigrants into New Zealand has some economists updating their forecasts.

While the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand’s (REINZ) November data show a solid increase in sales, up by 15.7%, from 5,550 to 6,422, month-on-month, and up by 12.2%, from 5,724 to 6,422, compared to November last year, the number was the lowest for a November month since 2011.  Apart from November last year, last month’s sales were below 7,000 for a November month since 2013.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is waiting on RBNZ advice before deciding whether debt-to-income (DTI) restrictions should be implemented.

A North Shore landlord has to pay a tenant $4,000 for emotional harm, despite claiming the Tenancy Tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear any claims because the tenant was a boarder.

Financial pressures will squeeze spending this Christmas – good news for the RBNZ as it battles inflation and mortgaged households waiting for a dip in interest rates.

As first home buyers apparently rush to beat the expected return of investors, due to the reversal of tax deductibility changes, some mortgage advisers say they are seeing a lift in loan applications.

Increasing constraints, including the cost and availability of credit, have meant a major slowdown in the apartment market. Consents dropped by 36% in the year to October – the lowest total since July 2017.

The market has been relatively subdued over the past 12-18 months, alongside the downturn in sales volumes and property prices.

Loan Market mortgage adviser Bruce Patten says the Reserve Bank is posturing when it says it might raise the OCR again next year if inflation is not under control.

A woman who left a rented Manurewa, Auckland property she shared with her partner after discovering he was using methamphetamine is still liable for a half share of Tenancy Tribunal awarded exemplary damages and other debts owed to the landlord.

Alongside increased credit demand, mortgage arrears are up 25% year-on-year as households across the country continue to roll from low to high fixed interest rates.

A big year is ahead for the property management industry.

Economist Tony Alexander doesn’t believe the RBNZ will keep the OCR at 5.50% or higher through to the middle of 2025, even though the central bank is forecasting a possible further hike next year.

The Residential Property Managers Association (RPMA) wants a completely new property managers bill and is hoping to meet with Housing Minister Chris Bishop shortly to get work underway.

It is not decided whether the Commerce Commission’s banking market study will cease now that the National Party’s coalition agreement with New Zealand First commits it to a separate select committee banking inquiry.