Find a place to live
Short term
Before renting or buying you need to find somewhere to stay such as in a furnished apartment, motel, bed and breakfast, or backpacker hostel.  Accomodation Rental
Long term
People either rent or buy a house or flat to live in.
Most new migrants rent when they arrive. This gives time to save money and decide where you want to live, the size of place needed, budget, school and transport needs.
Tenancy Agreement
This is a written, legal contract between you and your landlord. The law says you must have one. You should not sign any agreement unless you fully understand everything that is written in it because it becomes a legal document when you sign it. You must also pay a deposit and a bond. Your landlord will send the bond to Tenancy Services (an independent government agency). They will send you a letter when they receive the bond. A bond is usually the equivalent of 2-4 weeks rent.
Read about your rights and obligations as a Tenant.
Renting a private house
The main source of advertisements is the daily newspaper; The Press (especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays);
The Buy, Sell and Exchange (Friday only, also advertises properties to let).
Both papers can be purchased from dairies, petrol stations, bookshops and supermarkets. The website www.realenz.co.nz also has searchable listings for residential rentals.
Remember to have a personal reference ready for landlords to look at. This will help them decide whether to rent the house to you.
Using an agency: If you use a rental agency to find a property they will manage your contract with the landlord. To find a rental agency: Accommodation Rental
The Press - Classifieds - to let (the main rental agencies advertise here)
Housing New Zealand Corporation (HCNZ) provides rental housing.
To apply for a house from HNZC you must be eligible (meet certain conditions). For migrants to be eligible you must have lived in New Zealand for two years. If you receive an emergency benefit, due to hardship, HNZC may accept your application.
Quota refugees are automatically eligible for a Housing New Zealand house. HNZC charges rent to its tenants based on your income.
Once the application for housing is lodged with HNZC, you are assessed to determine your housing need. The assessment considers things like your current living arrangements and social, medical and personal needs. This ensures that those with the greatest need receive help first.
City Housing, Christchurch City Council provides rental housing for individuals or couples.
To apply for City Housing you must live in Christchurch, have low income and limited assets, and have a housing need. Successful applicants may have to go on a waiting list until suitable housing becomes available.
Buying a house
You can buy a house if you can pay the full price of the property or arrange a long-term loan or mortgage from a lender eg a finance house or the bank. The finance house or bank will look at your income, what you own, your debts and credit rating. Most will ask you to pay a deposit (often 20% of the cost of the house) from your own money.
Your bank will give information on all the types of mortgages that are available. Make sure you use the mortgage that is most suitable for you.
Properties are advertised through:
- Real estate agents Real Estate
- The Realtor and Bluebook (weekly publications) available free at real estate agencies
- The Press advertises many homes on Saturday. Look for ‘Open Days’. This is when you can visit the house without a real estate agent.
- Other free publications such as Homesell and Property Press available at various supermarkets, malls, petrol stations, and dairies and The Star newspaper, which is delivered to your letterbox.
This site gives some guidance on the property buying process: www.real-estate-nz.com
All major real estate companies have websites that advertise houses nationwide.
Moving into your home or flat - things to consider
- Power account - Christchurch homes are generally powered by electricity. You will need to open an account with an electricity provider. All providers have a free phone number to call. A bond may be required to be paid with the first bill. This site can help you decide which power company is cheapest for you. Electricity Supply
- Telephone account
Telecommunications Services. There are several service providers, the largest two are:
- Telecom free phone 123 and follow instructions or (information is also in Korean and Chinese).
- TelstraClear free phone 0508 888 800 and follow instruction.
All local calls are free if you use a fixed line. Calls to 0800 and 0508 numbers are also free. All emergency 111 calls are free.
You can also use cellphones. Vodafone and Telecom are the two networks in New Zealand, and you can purchase phones (either pre-pay or plan payments) from stores. Mobile Phones
- Waste – See: Find out your rubbish collection day to find out on what day your waste will be collected.
- Rubbish – all rubbish must be put in official City Council rubbish bags. See: Household rubbish bags
- Recycling – only the items listed on the 'Help Us Recycle' poster will be collected. This poster has been translated into 10 languages -see: Recycling Posters
- Internet Account (dial up, wireless and broadband are available) - accounts can be set up immediately if you are a Telecom or Telstra Clear customer and you want an account with the same company. Internet starter packs are available from other internet providers. Internet Service Providers
- Insurance - if you are renting you will need to insure your possessions. Insurance companies and office.
- Furniture and homeware - houses and most flats are unfurnished. Second-hand furniture and homeware such as crockery, cutlery and pots can be purchased at the SuperShed (Shuttle Drive off Pages Road, Bromley) and second-hand shops - Second-hand Dealers
Buy, Sell & Exchange is sold on Friday from dairies, petrol stations, bookshops and supermarkets. People advertise items they want to sell at often cheap prices including household goods, cars, bicycles and computers. Also advertised are services and job opportunities.
TradeMe is an online auction site for people wanting to buy and sell goods in New Zealand.
Garage Sales are a good way to sell goods you no longer need and to buy cheap second-hand goods. Garage Sales are usually on Saturdays and sometimes Sundays, and advertised in The Press on Saturday. Many people also put signs on fences indicating a garage sale.
You can also hire new or used homeware. Hire - Household Equipment and Services |
