Barfoot & Thompson - Property Management Epsom

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Epsom Property Management Team

Shelley Erceg Head of Property Management 021 928 961

Juan Xin

Management New Business Manager 027 298 5079

Peter Dowie

Manager 027 406 5937

027 466 0686

027 406 5938

Alex Elton

Manager 021 942 067

Susan Harding

Manager 021 918 221

022 190 8866

Manager 021 901 814

Emily Miao

Manager 021 761 384

027 358 5855

Serena Morman
Manager
Mia Yu
Mackenzie Seales
Cindy Zhang
Cara Jin
Riva Jiang
Ann Li

Hello

Welcome to the July/August edition of our RENT – Property Management magazine from the Epsom branch team. Inside you will find the latest property management market data for the areas across Auckland, along with tips and information about our Property Management services.

I joined the Epsom branch of Barfoot & Thompson in 2000. Having worked in sales administration and as the Sales Manager of a successful sales team I bring a wealth of knowledge to the position as Property Manager.

Customer service is an important part of the Property Management Service offered by the Barfoot & Thompson Epsom team. We are focussed on delivering outstanding and professional service to all of our customers and clients.

With an approachable attitude, my style of management is to be effective in communication, to deliver results and to always understand what people need.

At Barfoot & Thompson Epsom, our multi-lingual team is dynamic, diverse and driven. We work closely together to deliver exceptional service with commitment, depth of knowledge and expertise.

Call in and see me at the Epsom office or give myself or the team a call.

We would be delighted to help with your investing and Property Management needs.

Latest News

Auckland’s Quarterly Rental Update

Quarterly Rental Update:

‘Renters’ market’ emerges in Auckland as supply increases, activity cools and prices plateau

July 2025

Data from Auckland’s largest rental agency, Barfoot & Thompson, shows the region experienced a shift towards ‘renters’ market’ conditions during the first half of 2025.

According to statistics from more than 17,500 Auckland properties managed by the company, the average rent in the city inched up to $693.46 at the end of June; and while up 1.99% on the same time in 2024, this was the lowest increase recorded in the past five years.

Since January 2025, the average rent went up by only 0.53%, which was less than $4 in total over the six-month period.

General Manager of Property Management, Anil Anna, says that having more properties available to rent, alongside lower levels of renter activity, were the driving forces behind the slower pricing trend.

“Also, winter is a typically quieter seasonal period, and we are coming off a particularly strong pricing cycle in early to mid-2024, where the average weekly rent was up more than 5% yearon-year,” he adds.

Property managers across the agency’s Auckland branches were reporting increased supply from a number of fronts including more tenants choosing to move out of the city and, in some cases the country, a small surge in first home buyers moving

from rentals to their own properties, fewer migrants coming into Auckland in search of a home, and significant numbers of new rental properties, particularly townhouses, coming on to the market.

“This higher than usual supply of rental properties ultimately means wider choice for prospective tenants and more competition with other listings for landlords,” says Anil.

“At the same time, we are seeing more subdued interest from potential tenants overall, with enquiries down around 20% on last year’s peak.

Anil points to the likelihood that many people are ‘hunkering down’ over winter as well as biding their time in making any big financial commitments, such as moving, given the broader economic pressures being faced by many households.

“Those looking are being drawn by the most competitively presented and well-priced homes and, in response, more and more landlords are prepared to meet the market to ensure their property is let quickly.”

He says that while the average time to let a home is around a week longer than usual, there is still plenty of activity in the market and evidence of renters moving quickly for the right property.

“Our property managers are hosting substantially more viewings to attract tenants at days and times that work

best for them, and properties that are marketed well, offer a quality home and are priced to compete are generating good interest.”

His advice to landlords was to consult a local expert property manager for the insights most relevant to their area and to ensure their rental property was marketed, priced and presented as competitively as possible.

By property type, property managers across the region were reporting stronger interest in stand-alone homes, over multi-unit and terraced homes. “For example, in the Howick and Pakuranga areas, larger 4 and 5-bedroom homes able to accommodate larger or extended families, are becoming more sought after, while in South Auckland, 2 and 3-bedroom homes are consistently popular.”

By location, traditionally lowered priced areas further from the city centre continued to draw slightly higher increases. The central city’s apartment market registered slightly negative price growth following a period of intense activity in late 2023 and early 2024. “There is a market correction at play here after this area out-performed the region-wide average during the past year.”

These statistics are drawn from a portfolio of approximately 17,500 Auckland-based rental properties managed by Barfoot & Thompson. This includes both existing and newly signed tenancies. These figures are compared to the same time last year to show a percentage change. These statistics are reviewed and released quarterly, however, monthly rental statistic reports are also available on the Barfoot & Thompson website under ‘Market Reports’: barfoot.co.nz/market-reports

Auckland Region Rental Summary

Market Facts and Figures

AUCKLAND AVERAGE

Gross Yield

Eastern Suburbs

Franklin/Manukau Rural

North Shore

North Shore (continued)

South Auckland

Pakuranga/Howick

West Auckland

Source: Barfoot & Thompson analysis of its tenancies for the period noted and its sales over the last six months for three bedroom properties. Gross yield calculated using average sales price and average rental per week for three bedroom properties. Suburbs with less than four tenancies or four sales for three bedroom properties with Barfoot & Thompson are not included.

HOT PROPERTY?

TOP TIPS

Why work with a Barfoot & Thompson Property Manager to take care of your rental investment?

In our recent editions we have discussed the steps involved in finding the right tenant, preparing your property for rent and how to manage the risks of being a Landlord. This month we explore the best time to buy an investment property and what you need to do to be ready to snap up that next big bargain.

Remember we have more information and a range of videos to help whether you are buying, selling or renting. Find out more about our Property Management service on our website at this link: barfoot.co.nz/landlords/howwe-help-landlords

For many years, the Auckland housing market has been hampered by too few homes being chased by too many buyers. This left those wanting to be landlords disappointed with their options. The current market can mean hot deals for investment properties so now is the time to see what is out there. Of special interest might be properties that need significant repair or upgrades but are in desirable locations.

Our tenant survey found that 85% of respondents considered location to be an important consideration in choosing a rental property. Commute time is also a factor with 59% saying that how close they are to good schools and work can be a deciding factor when thinking about staying for over a year in a property.

Get your toolbox or your team sorted

While dated properties can make financial sense over time as they increase in value, be aware that maintenance and upkeep may mean more headaches than newer places. If you don’t enjoy the chance to be handy make sure you have a short list of reasonably priced experts in plumbing, electricity and general property troubleshooting. Have enough savings on hand to tackle big and small projects because unexpected repairs can affect revenue even if you have rent rolling in.

Only engage reputable tradespeople as you are a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and as such, must ensure ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ the health and safety of workers and that other persons are not put at risk by the work.

If you are a busy professional, you might want to consider the option of bringing on a property manager.

Get it in writing

If you cannot afford a property on your own choose partners and investors wisely. Hire a professional solicitor to draw up contracts and agreements, even if you are working with trusted family members. This can prevent arguments, misunderstandings and legal woes down the line if everything is agreed upon in writing from the outset. This includes profit sharing, maintenance liabilities and other topics that require clarification.

Rentals can monopolise free time

Give serious thought as to the amount of time you want to dedicate to this investment. If you are planning on self-managing your rental property, consider it a sure bet that you will be spending hours dealing with tenants, sorting repairs and reviewing financials. If your free time is a precious commodity then you may want to consider engaging one of our experienced Property Managers, this is especially true if you intend to acquire more properties as time passes. More properties can mean more demands on your free time.

There are so many benefits to owning an investment property. Don’t let the handful of potential pitfalls scare you off! As long as you do your homework and are a responsible landlord it can mean a solid revenue stream for years to come.

more info: barfoot.co.nz/landlords/help-and-tips

Auckland Suburbs

Market Data

The following pages show a summary of rental market data for suburbs across Auckland for the last six months, as sourced from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment NZ - Tenancy Services for the period shown.

Please do not hesitate to contact any of our Property Management team if you would like more information, we would be delighted to help you with your Real Estate needs.

*The data shown on this page is sourced from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment NZ - Tenancy Services for the period shown. Summary totals include averages for some types of property not shown. The market rent information comes from bond data. The results may not be a true indication of the rental market, as they only reflect properties where bonds have been lodged in the previous 6 months. More information is available at https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/ rent-bond-and-bills/market-rent/market-rent-explained.

Market rent in Albany

Market rent in Birkenhead

Market rent in Castor Bay

Market rent in Chatswood

Market rent in Greenhithe

Market rent in Herne Bay

Market rent in Mairangi Bay

Market rent in Mangere

Market rent in Milford

Market rent in Mt Wellington

Market rent in Northcote

Market rent in Orakei

Market rent in Point Chevalier

Market rent in Rothesay Bay

APARTMENT/FLAT

Market rent in St Johns

HOW WE HELP LANDLORDS

Stress-free property management?

No worries.

Owning a rental property can provide outstanding returns over time, but can also be a time consuming and stressful business.

From screening tenants, negotiating rent increases and getting calls about blocked sinks, you know what a hassle it can be. But when you leave the hassle to someone else, you want to be confident that your property is being well looked after.

That is where Barfoot & Thompson’s Property Management team comes in.

Our team of dedicated property managers removes the stress of maintaining your investment. We’ll find the right tenants, collect and review rent, arrange maintenance and more - all for a very competitive agreed rate.

Managing over 15,500 properties across Auckland and Northland, we have our finger on the pulse of the latest rental rates and access to quality tenants. By choosing a company awarded Best International Lettings Agency 2017/18, you can be sure your property is in safe hands.

“The industry is dynamic and it is evolving. We are seeing high immigration levels impacting the market. Our average tenancy is now almost 2 years, and changes in legislation mean that poor management can not only affect your revenue, it can affect people’s lives. With our knowledge of both the industry and the rental market in Auckland and Northland, we are committed to providing consistent and reliable service to investors and the people renting our properties.”

Our services

The best thing we offer is peace of mind, but we have a range of other great services too! Whether you have a single rental property or a full investment portfolio, Barfoot & Thompson Property Management has a service to suit your needs. We also offer body corporate and commercial property management services for your investment.

Full property management service

If you’d like us to take all of the stress off your hands, go for our full property management service. This includes:

• An online marketing campaign for your property, including free listing on barfoot.co.nz. realestate.co.nz and trademe.co.nz

• Automated booking system for prospective tenants to streamline the viewing of your property and 24/7 response to inquiries.

• Credit and reference checks.

• Interviewing and rigorous screening of suitable prospective tenants and completion of residential tenancy agreement.

• Bond lodgement with the Bond Centre.

• Dispute resolution on your behalf.

• Income collection and reporting.

• Thorough inspections of your property including an initial inspection with your new tenant, regular follow up inspections at a pre-arranged frequency, and a final inspect1on before the tenant moves out.

• Arrangement of property repairs and maintenance, including advice and assistance on the best way to rectify any damages, deal with tenants, and approach the Tenancy Tribunal if required.

• Access to professional tradespeople at reduced costs.

• Advice on current market conditions and rental rates as well as regular rent reviews.

• Guidance around changes in legislation to ensure your property meets the required standard.

• Access to the latest technology (such as our trust account management system) to ensure your money is safe at all times.

Cost: A competitive fee of 8.5% + GST (9.5-% + GST if the property is furnished) of all money collected and any repairs and maintenance we carry out on your behalf. The fee is usually tax deductible. Extra costs may apply for credit checks and marketing upgrades.

Cost: A competitive fee of 8.5% + GST (9.5-% + GST if the property is furnished) of all money collected and any repairs and maintenance we carry out on your behalf. The fee is usually tax deductible. Extra costs may apply for credit checks and marketing upgrades.

Why choose us?

Why use a property manager?

Apart from the time and hassle it takes to find tenants and arrange repairs and maintenance, there’s a lot of legislation to understand and processes to follow - especially if a dispute with tenants arises.

By using a property manager, you can be sure that an expert is looking after your investmentso when issues arise they are managed quickly and effectively.

Why choose Barfoot & Thompson?

As an investor you want to know your rental property is in safe hands. By choosing us, you’re choosing a company that has been awarded Best International Lettings Agency 2017/18. You’ll have the strength of Auckland’s largest and most trusted real estate company behind you and peace of mind that property management experts are protecting your investment.

The power of Barfoot & Thompson

Barfoot & Thompson is New Zealand’s largest privately owned real estate company - still run by the Barfoot and Thompson families after more than 90 years.

We manage over 15,500 rental properties and with dedicated property managers in over 60 branches, we have the experience and scale to help you.

Knowledge, experience and service

We know the property market inside out, including the intricate legislation and legalities behind property investment. We provide you with the highest quality advice so you understand the obligations, responsibilities and rights for you as a landlord and for your tenants.

Leaders in our market

We’re committed to being the best real estate agency around. We are thrilled to be recognised nationally and internationally for providing outstanding service including being awarded Best International Lettings Agency 2017/18.

• International Property Awards

• Best International Lettings Agency 2017/18

Best Real Estate Agency Asia Pacific - 2 years running

• Best Real Estate Agency Marketing Asia Pacific 2017/18

• REINZ Large Real Estate Agency of the Year

- All Disciplines 2017

It doesn’t cost as much as think

Our complete service comes at a very competitive property management fee of 8.5% + GST or 9.5% + GST if your property is furnished, of all monies collected and any repairs or maintenance carried out on your behalf. There are no additional charges for inspections, representation at dispute resolutions or when your property is vacant. (N. B. There may be fees for credit checks, additional inspections or marketing upgrades).

The right tenants, the right rent

Our wide-reaching network, rigorous selection process and market knowledge ensures you’ll get the right tenant and be paid the right rent for your property. We conduct regular rent reviews, so you’ll see an increase in rent to match any changes in the market. And with our large tenant portfolio we will do our best to ensure your property is always occupied

You can trust that your money is in good hands

Handling of your rental funds is managed through our head office accounting department. Unlike many other property management companies all money collected on your behalf is held in an audited trust account so you know where it is at any time.

We work hard for you

From the very beginning, we work hard to ensure your investment is well looked after. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when you choose to work with our expert team.

Initial consultation

We identify the management service that meets your needs and help you complete all the paperwork needed.

Account activation

We set up your account in our management system. This includes all the details for your property. All future quotes, repairs, maintenance and information associated with your property will be linked to this account and can be sent to you easily whenever you require it.

Marketing

We organise all the marketing for your property (in line with your agreed marketing strategy and budget). This can include advertising copy, signboards, photography, floorplans and video.

Finding tenants

To locate quality tenants, we organise online advertisements on barfoot.co.nz, realestate.co.nz, and trademe.co.nz. This service is free of charge for you.

Property viewings

We conduct viewings of your property by appointment on your behalf. Our Book-AViewing system helps us manage these efficiently for you. Ask us for more information.

Tenant applications

We know that the success of your investment lies in finding you a quality tenant. We thoroughly check every tenant that applies to rent your property. This includes looking at employment references, past rental history, credit checks, tenancy tribunal checks and proof of income.

Approval

Once we’ve screened our shortlisted applicants we present these applications to you so that you can make an informed decision and select the most suitable tenant for your property. Everyone is different and you may or may not want to be involved in this part of the process; the decision is yours.

Notification

Once an appropriate tenant has been selected, we promptly notify them of the decision to avoid losing them to another rental property.

Preparation

We organise all final paperwork, monies and lodgement of the bond. If your property is vacant or a tenant is vacating it will be cleaned, the state of all chattels is documented and any necessary maintenance is completed.

Pre-inspection

We complete a full inspection of your property, including water readings and body corporate information (if applicable).

Handover

Once a full inspection is completed and recorded, we meet and hand over keys to your new tenant on commencement date.

Receiving rent payments

Unlike many property management companies, we collect rental funds from your tenants and hold them in an audited trust account so you know where your money is at any time.

Find out more about what a property manager can do for you, visit barfoot. co.nz/howwehelp

Find out more about what a property manager can do for you, visit barfoot. co.nz/howwehelp

FAQs

From the very beginning, we work hard to ensure your investment is well looked after. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when you choose to work with our expert team.

How much will your service cost me?

Barfoot & Thompson charge a flat fee of 8.5% + GST (9.5% + GST if the property is furnished) of rent collected and any repairs, maintenance, and renovations carried out, or invoices paid on your behalf. There is no extra charge for routine inspections, administration, monthly and end of year financial statements and mediation or any appearances we make at the Tenancy Tribunal on your behalf.

Our fee is very competitive, and these costs may be tax deductible.

How often will you pay me?

We pay you monthly or twice a month, whichever you prefer, by direct crediting funds into your account. A comprehensive monthly statement detailing funds collected and disbursed on your behalf can be posted or emailed to you anywhere in the world. Invoice copies of accounts paid are included.

Do you collect a bond?

Yes. The Residential Tenancies Act requires that no more than four weeks bond be collected. Unless otherwise agreed, Barfoot & Thompson consider two weeks to be the minimum that should be paid. The bond is paid before the tenant takes possession and held by the Bond Centre until the tenant vacates.

Will it cost me to advertise the property?

No. If you have a full property management contract with us, our Option A marketing package is complimentary. You may choose to upgrade your marketing package at an extra cost.

Will I be charged for a vacant property?

No.

What if my tenant doesn’t pay the rent?

Barfoot & Thompson rent collection is computer monitored, enabling us to act very quickly when a rental payment is missed. The debt recovery process commences immediately. While we take every possible action to resolve the matter, in some cases it may be necessary to take the tenant through the mediation process or to the.

Tenancy Tribunal. If this is the case you will not be charged for our time.

Does Barfoot & Thompson guarantee me for any loss of rent?

No.

I will be moving overseas - can you handle all repairs?

Yes. Our property managers use a range of contractors who are highly skilled, competitively priced and quick to respond to our calls. If you have a preference for any particular tradesperson we would be pleased to accommodate this.

Legally, if you are overseas for 21 days or more, you are required to appoint someone to manage your property.

How often will you inspect my property?

Inspections are carried out on a regular basis. The frequency should be discussed with your property manager at the commencement of the management. Be sure to check what your insurance policy states as well, as they do generally have a set frequency. Pass this onto your property manager and we will set it as what is required.

What if I want to sell the property?

Your property manager can arrange with any of our experienced sales staff to have the property appraised and then listed for sale. This can be a very delicate situation and it is important that it’s handled professionally and efficiently. It is our job to ensure you and your tenants interests are protected. Your property manager will be happy to walk you through the process at any time.

Do you offer a Body Corporate service?

Yes, we offer full body corporate services. Ask our property managers for more details.

Do you offer commercial property management services?

Yes, we offer comprehensive property management services for commercial investments. Ask our property managers for more details.

List with a good listener.

At Barfoot & Thompson, we understand that every buyer’s needs are unique, and so we take the time to personalise our service accordingly. Once our salespeople have sat down with you to determine the right type of buyers for your property, we’ll produce a customised marketing plan that works with your budget and timeframe. We want you to

be 100% confident and happy with the process, so we’ll never force you into a rushed decision. We believe getting you a result is only half the job –you also need to be completely satisfied with how we get there. No wonder we make one in three of Auckland’s property sales every day. Check out our website to find out more.

barfoot.co.nz

Meet the Team

David Kelly Branch Manager 021 654 100

I started working in real estate in 1988 and joined Barfoot & Thompson in 1990. I became the Manager of our St Heliers branch in 1993. In October 2016, I transferred to Epsom, a consistently top achieving branch within the company. Epsom has a strong team of highly motivated, experienced salespeople and an award winning property management team, led by Shelley Erceg, all of whom have a wealth of local knowledge and real estate expertise. Our primary aim is to match our clients with the right customers and ultimately achieve the allimportant “SOLD” sign. More than any other company Barfoot & Thompson Epsom understands the area and has a large share of the market in Epsom and surrounding suburbs.

We want to make your real estate experience so good, hassle free and achieve a great result that you will be happy to use us, and make recommendations to your friends. Anything short of that, I will be disappointed.

As part of the Barfoot & Thompson network we have immediate access to over 65 branches and more than 1700 salespeople covering greater Auckland and Northland, as well as the Barfoot & Thompson website, barfoot.co.nz, which provides exposure to property listings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We pride ourselves on being one of the most technologically sophisticated real estate agencies, with an advanced computer system managing listings and providing the latest information on market trends, finance and customers. If you’re thinking of selling, feel free to phone or call in and see us. Our experienced staff will be happy to guide you through the process looking at cost-effective marketing solutions to sell your property for the best price, or call me anytime on 021 654 100.

As a customer we will listen to your requirements and then help you find the property that suits your needs, you can sign up for email alerts, and also make your needs known so that we can tell you about properties new to the market, before they appear in Property Press and real estate websites. When you find your dream home we will work with you to make the dream a reality.

Customer Service team

Assistant

021 776 100

Di Martens
Maithili Deshpande Branch Administrator
Jennifer Suarez Branch Administrator

Property Management team

Residential Sales team continued

Lucca Liu 021 153 6151

Negi 022 6144 444

Robert Thompson 021 737 949

Hannah Wang 021 634 636

Amy Xiong 021 339 389

Yuki Zou 021 831 211

Simon Lu 021 165 9296

Macauley Seo 021 528 234

Ian Thornhill 021 943 706

Sylvia Lu 021 919 766

Sherry Shao 021 831 879

Vicky Lu 021 027 30616

Shirley Shen 021 0283 7912

Cindy To 021 258 5580

Susan Wang 021 253 9056

Maggie Xue 021 998 566

Mc Auley 021 138 5538

Sun 021 868 089

Jason Tsang 021 815 545

Isabella Wesley 021 661 810

John Zhang 021 896 988

West 021 408 303

May Zhang 021 244 6166

Wang 021 021 98555

Wu 021 983 883

Sarah Zhao 021 080 49049

Michl 021 575 965

Thompson 021 673 600

Ellie Wang 022 134 3502

Wu 021 686 586

Zhao 021 958 952

Laura
Denise
Diana
Duncan
William
Willa
Paul
Deborah
Ash
Coco

280 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023

Property Management 09 529 0969

Residential Sales 09 520 6221

Email epsom.rental@barfoot.co.nz

barfoot.co.nz/epsom

Barfoot & Thompson

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