When rent doesn’t come in on time, the clock starts ticking against your cash flow. Whether you’re self-managing or using a property manager, a sluggish or reactive approach to rent arrears can compound the problem quickly, especially in this tight market where everyone is feeling the squeeze.
The smarter way? FastTrack.
Harcourts Reforma’s* very own Sara Mitchelle gave an excellent presentation How to manage rent arrears like a pro on APIA TV. That’s the go-to guide you need for a rent arrears strategy that actually works. One of her key takeaways?
“You’ve got to be on the arrears every day. If you’re not monitoring it, and you’re not acting fast, you’re going to get behind, and it only gets worse from there.”
Sara’s team runs a system that’s been proven and pressure-tested in every kind of market cycle. They’re not winging it, they’re working it. And one of the biggest tools in their kit is FastTrack resolution through Tenancy Services.
Wait, what is FastTrack?
FastTrack is a service provided by Tenancy Services that allows landlords and tenants to resolve straightforward disputes, like unpaid rent, without a formal Tribunal hearing. Once both parties agree, the mediator signs off, the Tribunals seals it and you get a legally binding order. No long wait, no court date, no drama. The whole process can turn around in as little as one week.
Why aren’t more people using it?
Because most landlords (and even some managers) don’t know it exists, or don’t understand how to use it. But FastTrack can be a game-changer when paired with a system like Reforma’s that tracks arrears closely and triggers early intervention.
“FastTrack isn’t just faster—it’s smarter,” says APIA General Manager, Sarina Gibbon. “When rent arrears hit, the last thing landlords need is a six-week Tribunal wait and a paper trail that goes nowhere. Use FastTrack to stay in control, protect your income, and keep the relationship with your tenant from turning adversarial. It’s not about being tough, it’s about being timely.”
Things to think about for your own rent arrears process:
- Do you check arrears daily or weekly?
- What’s your threshold for action—one day late or five?
- Are your communications clear, consistent, and non-threatening?
- Do you offer reasonable repayment options before escalating?
- Have you bookmarked FastTrack and know how to use it?
- Is someone accountable for chasing arrears—or is it falling through the cracks?
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you just need it to turn the right way.
Or, outsource to the pros!
If you are done making a dog’s breakfast out of self-management, talk to Paul Weeks at Harcourts Reforma on 027 688 2680 to find out how to get this tenancy working for you once and for all!
*APIA is proudly sponsored by Harcourts Reforma.
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