AUT - Flatting
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Flatting
Many university students live in flatting arrangements in which students share an apartment or house (flat) and share household expenses. Flatting offers the opportunity to experience independence and autonomy. The Auckland region provides a variety of housing options including family homes, apartments, townhouses and old houses which have been converted to flats. Bed-sits, studios, private board and furnished rooms are also housing options.
Demand for flats peaks at the start of each semester so try and beat the rush and get in early (look in December and January if you’re starting University in semester 1). Do not arrive the day before classes start and expect that you will find a flat right away. You may need to pay rent over part of summer in order to secure a flat from February.
Visit the links below to find out how to start flatting, what you need to set up a flat and what to do if anything goes wrong.
- Why go flatting?
- How do I find a flat?
- What should I do when I look at accommodation?
- What is a bond?
- What will the costs be?
- What is a tenancy agreement?
- Where do I go for a phone, power and furniture?
- What other things should I think about?
- When should I bring my family?
- Where do I go for advice?
- What happens if I’m having flatting problems?
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Why go flatting?
As an international student, there’s no better way to experience and understand Kiwi culture than to live with New Zealanders. You can also save money as you share bills such as power, phone, internet and food. Flatting is a fantastic way to make new friends and to improve your English.
Before you sign any contract for an apartment or house, you should be aware of your rights and obligations when you agree to a tenancy. For any information on renting or answers to accommodation related questions, please see the tenancy section of the Department of Building and Housing website.
How do I find a flat?
Here are some sites that advertise flats. Rentals are also listed in the New Zealand Herald newspaper in the Monday, Wednesday and Weekend editions.
The following real estate agencies may be able to assist you with locating accommodation:
There are two main ways to secure a flat:
- Find a room in an already established flat. You will probably need your own bedroom furniture. Usually the house will already be furnished. Negotiate with flatmates if any further furniture is needed.
- Organise flatmates and then find a property together. You will probably need to supply furniture and utensils for the lounge/kitchen as well as your own bedroom furniture.
What should I do when I look at accommodation?
Using an agent to book accommodation
Whenever you are considering accommodation options other than those available at AUT, it is important that you check the credentials of the agent you are dealing with.
Is the agent registered with the Real Estate Institute of NZ? If not, do not use them. Agents who belong to REINZ are bound by the Rules and Codes of Ethics.
This code defines the minimum standards that need to be maintained in the property management industry and exists to help enhance the confidence of clients and their tenants in licensed property managers.”
For more information about REINZ and their Rules and Code of Ethics, visit the Real Estate Institute of NZ.
Dealing with the accommodation owner
The initial meeting may be at the location of the flat. Make sure that you know where you are meeting the owner/landlord and ask for a business card or other credentials. Do not hand over money on the spot.
Safe practices
To check that your agent is legitimately representing an accommodation supplier, ring the accommodation provider directly and ask whether they are represented by the agent you are dealing with. Always use an agent from a reputable agency (most websites of real estate companies have pictures of their representatives with their contact details).
If at any time you feel unsure about the process, talk to someone, seek help from either the International Student Support Service, Tenancy Tribunal or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Never sign documents or pay money to an individual’s account. You should only pay the account of the accommodation itself or of the real estate/property management company. Always make sure you are given a receipt and that the invoice/receipt has the appropriate real estate/property management company details on it.
What is a bond?
A bond is money that you pay as security for the landlord. If you don’t pay all your rent, or if you cause damage to the place, then the landlord can ask to keep some or all of the bond money when you leave.
The landlord can ask you to pay up to the equivalent of 4 weeks’ rent as bond. (This is the most the landlord can ask you for.)
You pay the bond to the landlord who has to lodge the money with the Department of Building and Housing within 23 working days. Your landlord must give you a receipt for the bond money you pay them. There is a bond lodgement form that you and the landlord must fill out before the money is sent to the Department of Building and Housing.
You can pay the bond directly to the Department of Building and Housing if you have your landlord’s consent.
The Department of Building and Housing will send you and the landlord a receipt for the bond and will hold the money until the end of the tenancy. If you don’t get a letter about the bond money, you should call the Department of Building and Housing.
At the end of the tenancy you need to complete a bond refund form and your bond will be refunded. If you have caused damage, all or some of your bond will be paid to the landlord to cover repairs or rent.
What will the costs be?
It is likely that you will have to provide your own furniture and pay for your share of the expenses (electricity, water, gas, phone/internet, pay TV). Some flats will share groceries and cooking while others will buy groceries and cook meals individually. You’ll need to discuss bills with your flatmates and agree on who will organise household expenses.
The following table gives you an idea of what you’ll have to pay to set up a flat. This is a guide only.
| WHAT |
WHY |
APPRO COST |
| Bond |
Deposit to secure your accommodation place (refundable) |
Ranges from 3-4 weeks rent |
| Rent in advance |
Separate from the bond and so that you do not start off your rent in arrears |
Ranges from 1-4 weeks rent |
| Agent’s fee |
If you secure accommodation through an agent this is their fee |
Usually the value of one week’s rent |
| Connecting utilities |
For electricity, gas (if available), telephone connection/internet |
This varies according to provider and you should contact them directly for further details |
| Fully furnished (includes beds, tables/chairs, sofas, fridge, washing machine, etc.) Semi-furnished Unfurnished |
Some accommodation can be fully furnished You may need to purchase/rent some items not provided You may need to purchase/rent all furniture (except for stove) |
No outlay but note the rental of the furniture will be reflected in your weekly rent Dependent on your budget, you can obtain some furniture through second hand stores, garage sales and auctions. The TradeMe website is also a popular method Dependent on your budget, you can obtain some furniture through second hand stores, garage sales and auctions. The TradeMe website is also a popular method |
| Before you move into accommodation you should carefully check the condition of any furniture/furnishings (e.g. curtains, drapes, light fittings). When you move out, the cost of repairs to broken furniture/furnishings could be deducted from your bond. | ||
What is a tenancy agreement?
The Tenancy Agreement is between the tenant(s) and the landlord. There are two types of Tenancy Agreements or contracts - Fixed or Periodic.
Fixed term tenancy
A fixed term tenancy is the most common type of tenancy where you agree to rent the property for a fixed length of time, i.e. a year. Don’t sign up for a fixed term unless you’re very sure you will be able to stay for that amount of time.
Periodic tenancy
A periodic tenancy has no set date for when your contract will end. To cancel your tenancy, you must give 3 weeks’ notice to the landlord (the landlord needs to give you at least 6 weeks). The tenancy agreement is a legal contract, signed by the tenant/s and the landlord. It sets out the terms and conditions of the tenancy and can be signed by the head tenant or by all tenants. However it is suggested that all tenants sign the contract and share equal responsibility. The Tenancy Tribunal (see below) may order that either type of tenancy ends.
Rent increases
Rent increases cannot be less than six months apart, and the landlord must give 60 days’ notice.
Flat inspections
The landlord must give you 48 hours notice before inspecting your flat and not more than 14 days’ notice. Inspections must be between 8am and 7pm.
Termination of tenancy agreement
If there is no fixed term you must give 21 days’ notice to terminate your tenancy agreement. However if your tenancy agreement is fixed term, you must give 90 days’ notice in writing.
For any information on renting or answers to accommodation related questions, please see the tenancy section of the Department of Building and Housing website.
Where do I go for a phone, power and furniture?
If you need to contact a phone company, the following operations are available to help you:
If you need to contact a power company, the following operations are available to help you:
If you need to buy furniture and whiteware, the following retailers and renters may have what you need:
Note: The closest Warehouse is conveniently located in the Downtown shopping mall and is only 15 minutes walk or 5 minutes by free bus from the City Campus. The closest Farmers department store is located on Queen St.
What other things should I think about?
Location
You’ll want to consider your relative distance to the University, transport routes and proximity to the supermarket, shops and other amenities. Remember to consider the cost of transport - the further away you live, the cheaper the flat may be, but the more expensive it will be to travel to University.
Furniture
Many properties are unfurnished but come with whiteware (fridge, freezer, washing machine and/or microwave). The landlord or property manager will usually list furnishings within their advertisement.
Heating (winter period)
It is not common for flats to have central heating, so ask your landlord whether this is available.
Parking
Some properties may have garages and/or off street parking. Parking may be restricted in some areas, for example, flats in the inner city. Talk with your landlord if you require parking.
When should I bring my family?
If you intend to bring your spouse or family or have them join you, we recommend that you visit Auckland first to organise your studies and to find suitable accommodation that will meet all of your needs.
Where do I go for advice?
If you need help or advice with your living situation during the semester, contact the International Student Support Service.
For any information on renting or answers to accommodation related questions, please see the tenancy section of the Department of Building and Housing website.
The following websites can also provide support and assistance as you go through the flatting process:
- The Citizens Advice Bureaux.
- The Legal Services Agency
- The Coalition of Community Law Centres Aotearoa Inc
What happens if I'm having flatting problems?
Living with others in any situation will always have challenges, so remember to choose flats carefully and do not rush into any flatting agreement. Make sure your new flatmates are people you can live with during the semester or year. It is very important to consider who you choose to live with. Things such as: Are they clean? Respectful? Trustworthy? Would your personality fit theirs?
If you do experience tenancy issues, AuSM - the AUT student association - has a free legal liaison service that might be able to help you with any tenancy disputes. See ‘Legal info’ on the AuSM website.
You may also want to refer to the ‘Sorting out problems’ page of the Department of Building and Housing website.
If you are unable to resolve an issue, then you may have to lodge an application with one of the following tribunals:
Tenancy tribunal
The Tenancy Tribunal is a special court for making decisions about problems that landlords and tenants have been unable to settle themselves. It is a part of the Justice system. A landlord or a tenant wishing to make an application to the Tenancy Tribunal will be charged a fee of $20.
A tenancy adjudicator listens to each person, hears any witnesses and evidence either side wants considered, and then makes a decision according to the Residential Tenancies Act. The adjudicator writes down their decision as a Tribunal order. The landlord and the tenant are each given a copy.
The adjudicator’s decision is a court order that both sides have to obey. In most cases, if the decision is simple and straightforward, the parties can get a decision immediately after the hearing.
Otherwise, the decision has to be written up by an adjudicator and posted out at a later date.
Learn more about the Tenancy Tribunal.
Disputes tribunal
Disputes Tribunals are informal, inexpensive, quick and private. Disputes Tribunals are not like formal courts. There are no lawyers or judges. Disputes are heard by a referee who has been carefully selected and trained. A referee is someone who will either help you to come to your own solution or will determine your dispute. Any ruling they make is binding and will, if necessary, be enforced by the courts.
Find out more about Disputes Tribunals.
If you need help or advice with your living situation during the semester, you can see an AUT Student Advisor who can offer general help and advice. AuSM, the AUT students’ association, also has a free legal liaison service which might help with any tenancy disputes. To get in touch with Student Advisors, see contact information.