March 17, 2025
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The Auckland rental market has cooled in early 2025, with increased property listings requiring landlords to ensure their properties are attractive to tenants.
With Auckland’s median weekly rent down at $670, rental property owners need strategic property positioning to minimise vacancies, attract good tenants, and maintain their rental yields.
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“As more properties (the supply) are competing for fewer tenants (the demand), setting your rental property out from the crowd is imperative. Whether it’s being ‘pet friendly’, ‘recently renovated’ or ‘fully fenced’ – now is the time to think about ‘when it comes time to market my property, how can I set it apart from the others?’. Talk to us about a strategy that is right for your property.” – Jon Harris, Managing Director at Harper Properties |
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Keep scrolling for analysis from our Managing Director, Jon Harris, on the current market conditions and practical guidance for Auckland landlords.
Get a free rental appraisal from Harper Properties.
Our analysis is based on the latest market data as of February 2025. Talk to our team for the latest insights.
Auckland’s rental market is cooling
Auckland’s median weekly rent dropped to $670 in September 2024 – the lowest in nine months – indicating a settling of pace and price for rentals in New Zealand’s biggest city.
According to TradeMe’s data, rental listings in Auckland are up 13% month-on-month, but demand has slowed as net migration dipped under 50,000 (for the first time since January 2023), and there are fewer young renters in the market.
This indicates oversupply across the board. We’ve felt this at Harper Properties, with some of our listings taking longer than usual to fill.
The dynamic is shifting to landlords competing for tenants, which means your property needs to stand out from the crowd.
What does this mean for my rental property?
More supply and stable demand mean tenants have more choice and rents may continue to soften, so now’s a good time to review your strategy and make sure you’re:
- Meeting tenant expectations with a well-maintained property
- Nailing the first impression with professional property marketing and presentation
- Pricing your rental strategically to attract and retain reliable tenants and minimise vacancies
- Providing proactive and responsive management to protect your investment and justify the rental price
So, how can you differentiate your Auckland rental property?
How to differentiate your Auckland rental property to attract good tenants
Based on new/developing legislation and tenant priorities, we know that properties with these features will stand out from the crowd and increase your rental income:
- Being pet-friendly with pet bonds and reasonable terms (when appropriate)
- Modern amenities and appliances
- Energy efficiency to help with power bills
- Compliance with Healthy Homes standards
- Proximity to public transport
- Responsive property managers
Now might be a good time to consider what upgrades are needed to make your property more attractive to tenants. Ultimately, your strategy needs to make sense for your property, your desired rental yield, and your long-term plan.
Even with the current economic climate and lower rents, having a local property manager like Harper Properties – who knows the Auckland market and has weathered many cycles – gives you a real advantage.
It’s also about finding a property management fee structure that works for you, so you can enjoy solid rental income, expert advice, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is well taken care of.
Harper Properties’ expert property management helps Auckland investors
In Auckland’s competitive rental market, effective property management becomes even more valuable. At Harper Properties, our relationship-first approach gives landlords a distinct advantage.
Our comprehensive services include:
- No letting fees, maintenance fees, or add-ons, just $45 per inspection and a competitive 8.5% rate
- Combined experience of over 40 years
- Expert advice and support
- Premium marketing with professional photography and boosted listings on Trademe, Realestate.co.nz, and Allhouse.co.nz
- Comprehensive tenant selection through in-person interviews
At Harper Properties, we guide our clients through times like this.
With our market knowledge, access to premium marketing channels, and sensible approach to rental upgrades, we can come up with a plan that works for you and your prospective tenants.
“Harper Properties are now managing a property I have managed myself for many years. I felt in the current climate it was time to enlist professionals who keep up with new rental rules and regulations and also make sensible suggestions in relation to maintenance issues. I have a good working relationship with my PM Claire and manager Jon who with their personal, flexible service and responsiveness make me feel like I am not just a number.”
— Sally Thomas
The current Auckland rental market requires a more strategic approach than the high-demand environment of 2023. Success increasingly depends on professional management, thoughtful property positioning, and tenant-focused service delivery.
Need to stand out in Auckland’s rental market? Talk to Harper Properties
Call our team on 09 361 2810 or request a rental appraisal based on the latest data and deep knowledge of your area.
Answering your questions about Auckland’s property market
Is it hard to find rentals in Auckland?
No, Auckland currently has ample rental options with listings up 13% month-on-month. This means tenants have more choice than in previous years, and landlords need to ensure their properties stand out with competitive pricing, quality presentation, and effective marketing — all areas where Harper Properties excels.
What is the Auckland property market doing?
Auckland’s rental market is experiencing a cooling period with more properties available and slightly softening rents. Trade Me reports the median weekly rent at $670, while property values have stabilised. At Harper Properties, we’re helping landlords navigate these conditions with strategic pricing, targeted improvements, and professional marketing to minimise vacancies.