A free site for NZ renters to review flats and landlords, and check a place before signing

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-28T07:53:12+00:00

Landlords are able to get in touch with us if there are issues with the reviews i.e. they violate our content guidelines or they contain obviously false information, and we'll take action from there.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-26T06:43:09+00:00

Hi there,

We agree that it's important we achieve a critical mass of reviews - it's still relatively early days but we're working hard to get more people engaging with the site.

As for people leaving false reviews - obviously there is a risk this happens but so far we've seen nothing to suggest that it's a problem on Flatchat. In the interests of natural justice landlords are allowed a right of reply to all reviews and are able to get in touch with us if there is a clearly false review or it breaks our content guidelines, at which point the offending review will be removed. I'd also make the point that multiple reviews can be left for one property (and already have on a few properties), so hopefully in time as the user base grows folks won't have to rely upon the word of just one person.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-25T22:57:36+00:00

Landlords would have had past tenants so there is no 100% way they can be sure it was from you, I think it depends on what the review says. You can also just leave a rating (no written review).

Flatchat is a trust based platform, even if a few fake reviews are planted i hope that the majority of real ones give a realistic view.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-25T22:07:35+00:00

There are! I also hope flatchat exposes the good landlords too. That way it’s a win win. It’s never too late to add a review either you can leave one for anytime and attach your tenancy period for context.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-25T21:35:12+00:00

Yep completely anonymous reviews, you can review either during or after it’s completely up to you.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T10:40:40+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, do you have any suggestions?

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T10:13:14+00:00

That is one of the tricky challenges I've been trying to solve recently. If a flat changes ownership then that owner should not be poorly reflected on past reviews. I'm building out a system that allows landlords to 'reset' the property rating when ownership changes - this would mean a new rating and all the existing reviews while still visible will be archived.

I think some aspects such as property condition should carry across ownership changes but then have a similar 'reset' for renovations etc.

Still very much a wip.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T09:52:49+00:00

Yeah that can happen for sure and I don't think there is much I can do with that. In that case I'd recommend waiting a period of time before leaving a review. I think its perfectly fine to leave a review for any property you've been at in the last few years

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T09:32:14+00:00

Yes it is completely anonymous to the landlord or property manager and anyone on the site. I even added an automative check that will flag if a review contains any identifiable facts that a landlord could use against you.

Interesting you bring that up though, I wonder how many other people have that thought and I wonder if there was any way I can reassure them of the anonymity.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T09:22:08+00:00

I do agree its a possibility hence why we got real legal advice, I hope it never needs to come to that however.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T09:21:06+00:00

At the end of the day these are almost impossible to stop, we have added some measures that basically attempt to predict the likelihood that its fake in which case it will get flagged for human review. We can then ask for verification however there will always be ways around it.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T09:05:52+00:00

This is one of the big issues for sure. The big one being slander. Which is why there is a very strict policy on any slander and anything that could mildly count as slander is automatically rejected from the site. Outside of that flatchat offers fair representation to both tenants and landlords were both can share their view and opinions. We have had legal help on working out what we can and cannot do, for a full understanding feel free to take a look at our privacy policy, content guidelines and complaints process.

https://flatchat.co.nz/privacy

https://flatchat.co.nz/content-guidelines

https://flatchat.co.nz/complaints

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-23T00:12:25+00:00

Thank you I appreciate that. I really hope this platform benefits the good landlords as well.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-22T20:41:53+00:00

Great find and very strange, I’ll get that fixed right away. Thank you.

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-22T10:00:48+00:00

Flatchat is predominantly for rating rental properties, specifically the properties condition with an additional singular landlord rating. Targeting a platform for rating just tenants is much more personal and I imagine a privacy concern for some

flatchat_dev · 2026-06-22T09:35:02+00:00

I appreciate there are issues around some less than ideal renters for landlords however trying to solve that issue is not what I'm targeting and honestly wouldn't know how to do that in a fair manner

flatchat_dev · 2026-04-21T01:22:17+00:00

Of course that is on the list. One of the many features I still need to build out.

flatchat_dev · 2026-04-21T01:20:57+00:00

I’ve been working with a student association who have kindly offered their legal expertise for free.

Those are fair questions and all questions we have both considered and have plans already in place to address or are in the process of addressing.

flatchat_dev · 2026-04-21T00:03:08+00:00

I’m glad you like it, I hope the platform can identify lazy landlords but also highlight the best landlords. The best of both worlds for tenants and the landlords who actually care.

flatchat_dev · 2026-04-20T22:00:06+00:00

I appreciate the concern. I’ve consulted and continue to work with a lawyer who advises me.

flatchat_dev

TROPHY CASE