Landlords, Break-ups, Bosses: Let's Talk Law! Free legal info series with guest presenters from Community Law Otago at the Valley Project in September
Landlords, Break-ups, Bosses - Let’s talk law!
Join us, and the team from Community Law Otago, at the Valley Project in September for a series of three free legal education workshops on: Tenancy rights for landlords and renters; Family Law; and Employment Rights.
Get answers you can actually use - and ask the questions you’ve always wondered about!
Run by the Valley Project in collaboration with Community Law Otago.
Session 1: Tenancy rights for landlords and renters
Tuesday 9th September, 6pm at the Valley Project
Topics covered in session 1
Healthy homes:
- Healthy homes standards must have been complied with by 1st July 2025
- Key standards applicable in Dunedin: insulation, heating, ventilation, when standards do not apply
- Steps to take if your property does not meet healthy homes standards
Tenancy tribunal:
- What to do when you have an issue with a tenant or landlord
- How to apply to the tribunal for support
- Getting ready for the hearing
- Attending the hearing
- Decisions the tenancy tribunal can make
Tenant rights and responsibilities:
- paying the rent on time
- keeping the property reasonably clean and tidy
- contacting the landlord promptly about any damage or repairs
Landlord rights + responsibilities when renting out a property:
- Making sure the property is in a reasonable condition
- Letting the tenant have quiet enjoyment of the property
- Key building, health and safety standards
Session 2: Family Law
Tuesday 16th September, 6pm at the Valley Project
Topics covered in session 2
Family violence
- police safety orders
- protection orders
- practical advice
- elder abuse
Care of Children Act (COCA)
- informal agreement
- family dispute resolution
- on notice application to the family court
- without notice application to the family court
- Oranga Tamariki
Navigating family court
- People and roles of the court
- Family court legislation and rules
- How to file and serve documents
Session 3: Employment Rights
Tuesday 23rd September, 6pm at the Valley Project
During an interview
- What questions can be asked
- What to do if you feel like you have been discriminated against
Are you an employee?
- Employment law only applies to employees in NZ
- Workers that aren’t employees
Employment agreements
- Information that should be in employment agreements
- Why you need one
- Different types of employment agreements: Permanent, Fixed term, Casual, Seasonal
Your minimum rights as an employee:
- Holiday pay
- Minimum wage
- Parental leave
- The right to not be discriminated in the workplace
- A healthy and safe working environment.
- Both parties must treat each other in good faith – honesty and openness
Issues once employed
- Leaving: Notice terms in employment
- Dismissal: When they can fire you; Processes they must follow
- Raising a personal grievance: What is a personal grievance; Actions that qualify as personal grievances; Process for dealing with personal grievance
If there’s something specific you’d like covered in any of these sessions, please email: socialworkintern@northeastvalley.org
