Change the Rent

Overview

To change the rent, open the property → click the Actions button → Change rent, then enter the New Rent ($) → pick an Effective Date → review and sign the notice → click Save & Send Notice. Keyhook emails the notice to your tenants and adjusts the rent automatically on the effective date.

Change the rent

Open the rent change form

From the property, click the Actions button (top right) and choose Change rent. This is only available while the tenancy is active.

Enter the new rent

In New Rent ($), type the new rent for the tenancy. The form shows the current rent above the field, along with the date it was last raised — or, if there's no increase on record, the tenancy start date it's working from.

Choose the effective date

Pick the Effective Date. The picker only offers dates on the weekday your tenants pay rent, and defaults to a compliant date — at least 60 days out for an increase, and at least 12 months after the last raise. You can still select an earlier date; if you pick one less than 60 days away for an increase, a confirmation toggle appears so you can record that you've already served notice.

Review the notice

Once the rent and date are set, Keyhook loads the notice that goes to your tenants. Edit the Subject and Body as needed — yellow [ ] placeholders mark spots to fill in.

Sign the notice

Click Click here to e-sign and add your signature (the button then reads Change signature) — it's placed under your name at the bottom of the notice. There's no field labelled "Signature".

Save and send

Click Save & Send Notice. Keyhook emails the notice to your tenants and adjusts the rent automatically on the effective date, then returns you to the property.

Note: Under NZ tenancy law you can increase the rent at most once every 12 months, and must give tenants at least 60 days' written notice. Keyhook defaults the effective date to a compliant one and, if you choose a sooner date for an increase, asks you to confirm you've already served notice. (See The Rent Review Process for how review dates are tracked.)

Reduce the rent instead

Enter a lower rent

In New Rent ($), type an amount below the current rent. An Is this a temporary rent reduction? toggle appears.

Choose temporary or permanent

Leave the toggle off for a permanent reduction. Turn it on for a temporary one, then set the Reduction end date — the rent restores to the original amount on the next rent-payment day after that date.

Finish as usual

Pick the Effective Date, review and sign the notice, then click Save & Send Notice.

Note: The once-a-year and 60-day rules apply to increases only — a reduction can take effect from the next rent-payment day, so the picker offers earlier dates.

Check or undo a rent change

See the pending change

After saving you're back on the property, where a Rent Change card shows the new rent and the date it takes effect.

Undo it if needed

While the change is still pending (its effective date hasn't passed), click Undo Rent Change on that card to remove it.

Review the history

Reopen Change rent from the Actions menu — the Rent Change History table lists every change with its effective date, old and new rent, and a link to the notice.

Frequently asked questions

Which effective dates can I pick?

The picker only offers dates on the weekday your tenants pay rent, and defaults to a compliant date — for an increase, at least 60 days out and 12 months after the last increase (the RTA minimums). You can still select an earlier date; for a sub-60-day increase you'll be asked to confirm you've already served notice. Reductions can start from the next rent-payment day.

Can I raise the rent sooner if I've already served notice?

Yes. If you set an effective date within 60 days for an increase, a I confirm that I have already served notice to my tenant(s). toggle appears. Turn it on and the button changes to Save — Keyhook records the change and emails your tenants a confirmation (a "Rent change confirmation") instead of serving a fresh notice.

Note: Need to add a historic rent change? Reach out to Keyhook support and we can add it for you. You'll need to have already served notice to your tenants, and tell us the new rent amount, property address and the date it takes effect.

What's the difference between a temporary and permanent reduction?

A permanent reduction stays until you change the rent again. A temporary one automatically restores the original rent on the next rent-payment day after the Reduction end date you set.

Can I undo a rent change after saving?

Yes, while it's still pending — click Undo Rent Change on the property's Rent Change card. Once the effective date has passed the change has been applied and can't be undone this way.

Can I attach supporting evidence like a rent appraisal?

Yes — use Optional supporting evidence on the form to attach a PDF (for example a rent appraisal) before you send the notice.

Change the Rent

Change the rent

Frequently asked questions

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