When you are looking for rental property in New Zealand you must be aware of the fact that the majority of the properties are rented unfurnished. You may get some properties who advertise as ‘including white ware’ which means the property comes with a fridge and washing machine. Properties who advertise white ware usually also include a freezer and a tumble dryer. When budgeting for your stay you need to make provision for buying furniture as sofas, beds and wardrobes will most likely not be included.

Rental costs in New Zealand are fairly reasonable, although in the larger cities such as Auckland prices increase dramatically. In the centre of the city a 3 bedroom home could set you back around $600.00 per week although as you move away from the centre average prices can reduce to as low as $375.00 per week for similar quality homes.

The North Island is more expensive for rental property as this is a more populous region; however in the South Island rental prices are much more affordable. Christchurch rentals average between $350.00 and $450.00 per week for a 3 bedroom home, while further south still in Dunedin you can expect to pay around $250.00 per week for a similar standard of property.

Not only do you have your rental charges to pay but you will also be responsible for your own utility bills. It is up to the tenant to make arrangements with the electricity company, the water company and the gas company for connections and all services charges are solely the tenant’s responsibility. If you as a tenant require a telephone line connection and or internet services, these too are your own responsibility.

If you are using an estate agent to help you find your property then they may also charge a fee. This is often the equivalent to the first weeks rent (for example if your property costs £350.00 per week then the fee to the agent will be $350.00 plus taxes) this is a one off fee. Landlords also ask for a bond which is usually the equivalent of 4 weeks rental. It is also normal practice for landlords to ask for 2 weeks rental in advance. This means that renting a property in New Zealand can be very costly initially.

In New Zealand it is common practice to pay your rent every fortnight in advance. The payment is usually in the form of a direct debit from your bank account. Rarely will you pay a landlord in cash for your rental fee. You should also have a rental agreement. This is to cover not only your rights as a tenant, but also to ensure your landlord is covered against rental disputes or other issues that may arise.

The tenancy agreement should outline the responsibilities of the landlord regarding the maintenance of the home, the daily upkeep of the home for the tenant and any notice periods needed for termination of contract or changes to rental fees.

The responsibilities of the landlord towards the property include, ensuring the property is kept to a good standard of repair and maintenance works are done in a timely manner plus ensuring the home is secure prior to tenancy commencement. The notice period required for any maintenance work or home inspections should also be clearly stated in the tenancy agreement. Rental increases must be notified in writing at least 60 days prior to the increase taking effect and cannot increase within 180 of the tenant moving into the property. It also cannot increase more than once every 180 days.

The responsibilities of the tenant will be laid out in the tenancy agreement and will include agreeing to pay the rent on time, agreeing to pay all utility bills you are responsible for in a timely manner, ensuring the property is kept tidy and no damage is done. If accidental damage occurs by with the tenant or a member of the tenant’s social circle (friends and family) then it is the responsibility of the tenant to ensure the repairs are carried out to a good standard. No subletting is allowed without prior permission, neither is allowing other persons to live in the home other than those originally named in the tenancy agreement without permission from the landlord. Locks cannot be changed without the permission of the landlord and at the end of the tenancy all keys must be returned to the landlord.

The standard term of a tenancy is usually 12 months. Longer lease periods can be negotiated but this is usually done after the first 12 months. If the tenant has maintained a good relationship with the landlord such as paying on time every time and keeping the house in good order then the landlord may feel secure enough to extend the contract.