MBIE Investigates Hoogwerf and Miers Over Landlord Practices

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is investigating Nick Hoogwerf and his mother, Donna Miers, following allegations of poor landlord practices and a history of tenant complaints.

The investigation by MBIE’s Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team (TCIT) has been ongoing for approximately one year. The probe follows claims that the pair provided sub-standard rental properties and failed to lodge tenant bonds.

According to the NZ Herald, the TCIT has received four complaints regarding the duo since March 2024. This includes two complaints against the pair together and one individual complaint each against Hoogwerf and Miers.

Greymouth Property Disputes

One of the complaints centers on a commercial property in Chapel St, Greymouth, which Donna Miers purchased in 2019 under the business name Chapel Corner. The property was divided into eight units, with two additional residential units located next door, and Nick Hoogwerf served as the landlord.

The property was previously the subject of a Tenancy Tribunal case brought by a resident who claimed the dwelling was uninhabitable. The tenant had been persuaded to sign a tenancy agreement for the accommodation despite not living in Greymouth at the time and being unable to inspect the property beforehand.

a sad case

Ross Armstrong, tribunal adjudicator

Adjudicator Ross Armstrong noted that the property did not resemble its online advertisements and was later deemed unsanitary and uninhabitable.

Additional Legal and Professional Issues

Beyond the current MBIE investigation, Nick Hoogwerf has faced further complaints at the Tenancy Tribunal from aggrieved tenants. Hoogwerf was also previously struck off as a real estate agent.

In a separate March 2023 report, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered Hoogwerf and Miers to pay nearly $28,000 for unpaid rent, repairs, and exemplary damages. This case involved a property in Pt Chevalier, which the pair had agreed to buy from owner Don Oliver in April 2022.

The duo had signed an agreement in early May 2022 to rent the property until the settlement occurred. They later claimed the home was unsuitable for living due to a lack of insulation and water ingress, alleging it did not meet Healthy Homes standards. They also claimed there was mould in the bathroom and sodden floorboards near a fireplace.

The tribunal found that there was insufficient evidence to prove the home failed Healthy Home standards and noted that photographs provided by the tenants did not show mould. The pair vacated the house on July 1, 2022, claiming they were forced out by the mould, though they continued paying rent until July 8, 2022, despite the agreement being scheduled to end in November.

The tribunal further determined that the pair had unlawfully sublet the property to another woman and charged her double the rent. The tribunal found that Hoogwerf and Miers had submitted false invoices from tradespeople as evidence during the proceedings.

Donna Miers is also identified as the owner of an online business called Kagi Jewellers.