# The AdvoCat

> The AdvoCat is a New Zealand, problem-first tenancy resolution product. It helps people describe what happened in ordinary language, understand what matters, work towards proportionate resolution where appropriate, and prepare a clearer next step. It is founded by Ava Sanchez Neal, a former Tenancy Mediator with formal alternative dispute resolution qualifications.

## Primary pages

- [Extended product context](https://www.theadvocat.com/llms-full.txt): Audience, pilot and responsible-AI context for machine readers.
- [Home](https://www.theadvocat.com/): Product proposition, audiences and the Understand → Resolve → Act model.
- [Why pet consent first](https://www.theadvocat.com/why-pets/): Why pet consent is the first full pilot, not the whole product.
- [Field Notes](https://www.theadvocat.com/blog/): Product, tenancy-resolution and responsible-AI notes.
- [About](https://www.theadvocat.com/about/): Founder background and design principles.
- [Contact](https://www.theadvocat.com/contact/): Alpha, professional-pilot and organisational enquiries.
- [Alpha](https://alpha.theadvocat.com/): Experimental, non-indexed product experience.

## Product model

1. Understand: clarify the story, facts, missing information, deadlines and safety concerns.
2. Resolve: identify the smallest useful intervention and make both perspectives easier to address.
3. Act: record an agreement, improve a communication, preserve evidence or prepare for formal or human-supported action.

## Scope and boundaries

- Primary geography: New Zealand.
- Initial domain: residential tenancy problems.
- First full pilot: pet consent.
- Wider problems include repairs, bond, notices, entry, damage, rent and Tribunal material.
- The AdvoCat provides general information and experimental decision support, not legal advice.
- People, not AI, make consequential decisions.
- Tenancy Services and the Tenancy Tribunal do not endorse The AdvoCat.

## Contact

- Email: ava@theadvocat.com
- Preferred citation name: The AdvoCat
- Founder: Ava Sanchez Neal

## Current commercial availability — 6 September 2026

Professional tenancy communication pilot: two weeks, one team, fictional scenarios, working sessions, reviewed communication examples and an evaluation. Scope and service arrangements are discussed directly with Ava. Enquiries are open; a written offer and acceptance are required before paid work starts. No live-case checking, representation, integrations or automatic subscription is offered.

- [Professional pilot](https://www.theadvocat.com/professional-pilot/)
- [Privacy](https://www.theadvocat.com/privacy/)
- [Service boundaries](https://www.theadvocat.com/terms/)

Alpha is a public demonstration using fictional input, static sample review feedback and simulated consent/delivery. It is not a live AI legal service.

## Practitioner reflections

- [The housing crisis has a waiting room](https://www.theadvocat.com/blog/the-housing-crisis-has-a-waiting-room/): What happens to a tenancy problem while everyone waits—and why that time belongs in the housing conversation.
- [Before we blame the chatbot, look at the queue](https://www.theadvocat.com/blog/before-we-blame-the-chatbot/): Why people turn to AI for help with tenancy problems—and the standard that useful technology should meet.
- [A repair request should not need a project manager](https://www.theadvocat.com/blog/a-repair-request-should-not-need-a-project-manager/): A practical picture of tenancy support that remembers the problem, carries the work and checks what happened.

## Signature editorial
Pets, permission and the cost of getting stuck
https://www.theadvocat.com/blog/pets-permission-and-the-cost-of-getting-stuck/
New Zealand has changed the law. The next test is whether tenants, landlords and property managers can make it work. Three published NZ Tribunal decisions, consent requirements, social costs and a fair path for tenants, landlords and property managers. Published online 7 September 2026. September issue dates are editorial labels, not earlier publication dates.