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I know the first step is to find a rental home and you would like to finalise it before you leave your country. Unfortunately it is very difficult to make it happen. Let me explain why:
- It is possible in NZ for tenants to give 2 weeks notice in certain circumstances. By trying to secure a rental property before you land you are not necessarily going to get the best available in your price range.
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Not all the rental companies have rentals available on the Internet and viewing is only possible in person.
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New Zealanders travel a lot and when they go overseas they often ask rental companies to manage their fully furnished homes for shorter periods of time e.g. 3 months and this can be to your benefit. In my experience, before the rental companies place tenants into a furnished home, they want to “look them over” and this cannot be done when you are not here, standing in front of them.
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Renting for short term (less than 6 months) can be a problem as most companies are asking for a 6-month or one year contract.
What can I do?
You can book accommodation in a hotel, motel or mobile home. This will give you a couple of days to sort out and view the rentals available.
Discrimination is unlawful in New Zealand. No discrimination is allowed based on sex, marital status, religious belief, race, ethnic and national origin, disability, age, employment, status, political opinion or sexual orientation.
I know from experience that the median price indicators for rental homes are not a good indication of what you can expect to pay for a rental home. The reason is simple - most migrants prefer more upmarket homes.
Rights and Responsibilities
Print out the information at the following link if you are going to rent in New Zealand, or better still, visit this page, and bookmark the address while you are there.
An agent’s fee of one week’s rent is payable when entering into an agreement for a rental property.
As well, you will also have to pay a bond as security for the owner that you will keep the home in the same condition as you received it. When you move out and after the final inspection and presumably everything is the way it should be, then your bond will be refunded. The bond cannot exceed four weeks rent and it is held at a central government agency, so it is safe.
You will also have to pay 2 week’s rent in advance.
Telephone and electricity are not included in rent – these are your responsibility, so you will need contact the companies of your choice for connection. Remember to take your passport and the passport of your partner if the bill is in the names of both parties.
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