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As the country prepares for a lockdown, property managers have been telling tenants that they must pay rent or likely receive a 14-day notice - something a renters' group says is "tone deaf".

In Wellington, property management group Quinovic earlier this week told its tenants that notices will be sent if they do not pay in time.

Down south, renters in Christchurch were told in a letter by Prestige Property Management Limited that rent was still due as usual and the company emphasised it had a "zero rent arrears policy".

Renters in Hawke's Bay were similarly told by Propertyscouts that rent must be paid as normal, "otherwise unfortunately you may be jeopardising your tenancy".

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With the lockdown starting at Wednesday midnight, a rent freeze will begin which means landlords will not be able to increase rent. The Government has also said it will look to "extend no-cause terminations". It is understood to mean people will not be able to be evicted for not paying rent.

Real Estate Institute chief executive Bindi Norwell previously told Stuff that with a rent increase freeze and the current environment, it encouraged landlords, tenants and property managers to "keep the lines of communication open, as some rent may be better than no rent in the current environment".

Prestige Property Management Limited told its tenants to contact them if they had trouble paying rent.

In the letter, the company said it had a zero rent arrears policy and "if you are struggling to pay rent you must utilise the government subsidies or contact the Ministry of Social development".

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF In an email, Quinovic says it would not be able to help tenants who were locked out of properties and would not be conducting inspections or viewings (file photo).

In an email seen by Stuff sent to tenants from Quinovic, they were told "it is likely that missed rent payments will still result in a 14 day notice to you.

"This is an insurance requirement for most policies. Please note that unpaid rent during the lockdown will still need to be paid afterwards.

​"It is important that you understand that if you run into financial difficulties you must contact MSD asap and apply for benefits and accommodation supplements," the email said.

Quinovic also said it would not be able to help tenants who were locked out of properties and would not be conducting inspections or viewings.

"Please keep yourselves safe. Tough times for everyone for a while."

﻿Quinovic chief operating officer Paul Chapman told Stuff, "where a tenant falls into arrears it is our standard process to contact the tenant to understand the tenant's situation, empathise and seek practical solutions by mediating between tenants and owners.

"In our conversation with the tenant, we advise them that it is a legal requirement under the residential tenancy act to issue a letter giving them a set time to remedy their breach of the RTA."

He said that, following the "Quinovic communication that led to your article, MBIE have issued clear guidelines for property managers operating under a Covid-19 Level 4 scenario.

"This includes . . . an increase in the time period to remedy a rent arrears breach from 14 to 60 days.

"Taking a tenant to Tenancy Tribunal is a last resort for Quinovic and in the vast majority of cases we are able to work through an arrears situation and agree terms that are suitable to both landlords and tenants."

In an email seen by Stuff from Propertyscouts Hawke's Bay to tenants, it said rent must be paid as normal moving forward, otherwise tenancies would be in jeopardy.

Jim Rice/Stuff In an email from Quinovic to some Wellington tenants, missed rent payments would still result in a 14-day notice (file photo).

Renters United spokesman Robert Whitaker said it expected landlords to be more sympathetic than this, especially with many people worrying about their income.

"It's pretty tone deaf given there is a huge level of uncertainty - it's disappointing to see this kind of communication," he said.

"The message from the Government about being kind doesn't seem to sit well with this."

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) group general manager of client service delivery George van Ooyen previously told Stuff it was preparing for a growing number of people seeking assistance from Work and Income New Zealand.

"Planning is in place to meet the increased demand for our services and for any changes in our services that may be needed in the future.

"Our services are continuously being reviewed. This includes looking at where we need extra staff and how we will support them to work safely. "