Currently the programme is available in agriculture, construction
(residential), fishing, motor trades and road transport. Check back on this
site for more information on other industries throughout October.
How much is the discount?
The discount is 10% of the work-related component of your levies. The
total amount of the discount will depend on the levies you pay. The
discount applies for three tax years from the date your application is
accepted, although you’ll be required to complete an annual declaration
during that time to confirm your details. You’ll also be playing a
valuable role in keeping injuries out of your workplace.
When will I get the discount?
As long as you apply before the end of March 2007, if your application has
been accepted then your discount will apply from 1 April 2006.
If you have already paid your levies during this time, you will receive a
refund.
What do I have to do?
To qualify you need to be eligible and show you have capability in health
and safety management, which generally means completing a FREE
industry-specific training course (typically just one or two days in
duration), then returning a correctly completed self-assessment booklet to
ACC.
REMINDER
ABOUT OLD COINS
Fron 1 November the old 50,20,10, cents coins will no longer be
accepted by shops and businesses. Furthermore the 5 cent coin will be
taken out of circulation. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (via the
major trading banks) will still accept them.
RESIDENTIAL
TENANCIES REFORMS ANNOUNCED
The government has unveiled proposed changes to the Residential
Tenancies Act which will impact on what landlords and tenants can do.
Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove has announced proposed
amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and to landlords’ and
tenants’ advice and dispute resolution services.
“The key issues identified in the review of the Act included a lack of
stable tenure for longer term tenants, variable standards of rental housing
and a lack of knowledge among landlords and tenants on their rights and
responsibilities," Cosgrove said.
Proposed amendments include new property entry rights for landlords for the
purposes of an appraisal by a real estate agent or building inspector, and
allowing landlords to recover reasonable debt collection costs incurred in
enforcing Tenancy Tribunal Orders through a private debt collection agency.
It is also proposed to make some tenant breaches unlawful acts that can
result in exemplary damages being awarded, as an alternative to eviction.
These would include sub-letting, assigning a tenancy without consent,
over-populating the premises or becoming a problem neighbour.
The government has also instructed the Ministry of Justice to examine faster
and easier ways for landlords to collect unpaid rent.
It is proposed that the Tenancy Tribunal be able to make an order against a
guarantor of a party to a tenancy agreement. Currently if a landlord wishes
to pursue the guarantor to a tenancy agreement (eg for rent arrears) they
cannot go to the Tenancy Tribunal – they must go to a District Court or
Disputes Tribunal.
Landlords who breach building health and safety regulations may face
financial penalties payable to the tenant.
Greater protection for fixed term tenants is proposed by compelling
landlords to notify tenants at least three weeks before the tenancy period
ends if they are not going to renew the contract. Fixed term tenancies that
expire with no new agreement being signed will automatically become periodic
tenancies, whereby tenants must give three week’s notice if they want to
end the tenancy and landlords must give three month’s notice.
Fixed term tenants will also be allowed to apply to end a tenancy early, in
the event of a substantial and unexpected rent increase.
Landlords who intend being abroad for more than three weeks will be required
to appoint someone in New Zealand to manage their tenancies for the duration
of their absence.
A draft bill will be developed for Parliament to consider next year.
In addition to the legislative amendments, there will be changes to the
Department of Building and Housing’s tenancy advice and dispute resolution
services. The new measures include face-to-face services in more locations
throughout New Zealand, an online application service and telephone
mediation.
The service changes include:
· Extended hours for phone advice: 8am to 5.30pm weekdays instead of 8.30am
to 4.30pm
· New Tenancy Tribunal application forms
· Access to face-to-face services in 17 more locations throughout New
Zealand
· A new phone mediation service to resolve straightforward disputes
· The introduction of online applications to the Tenancy Tribunal.
In total there are now 85 centres where landlords and tenants can sit down
with a mediator, get advice or pick up resources. The additional community
venues, which will now provide services by appointment, are located in
Putaruru, Mangakino, Murupara, Te Kuiti, Kawerau, Opotiki, Turangi,
Paraparaumu, Hornby, Rangiora, Amberley, Waimate, Hokitika, Fairlie, Twizel,
Alexandra and Wanaka.
A phone mediation service, ‘Swift’, has been set up to resolve
straightforward tenancy disputes within 24 hours. An example is an
application for rent arrears where both the tenant and landlord agree that
the rent is behind and they require mediation to reach an agreement about
how the arrears will be paid.
Other reforms currently under way across the building and housing sector
include: the review of the Building Code, the licensing of building,
auditing and accrediting building consent authorities, changes to the
Weathertight Homes Resolution Service, the introduction of a financial
assistance pilot for the worst affected owners of leaky homes, product
certification and investigating a home warranty insurance scheme.
