How to Rent an Apartment in New Zealand

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Step 1 – Know What Type of Accommodation You are Looking For

When renting an apartment in New Zealand, we recommend renting just a room or a bed (if you don’t mind sharing a room at a cheaper price) in an apartment rather than renting a whole apartment to yourself and/or finding your own flatmates. Renting a room for yourself means you are only responsible for yourself.

Considering most of us on a gap year in New Zealand only tend to need to find a room to rent for only a few months of the year, why deal with the stress of finding other flatmates? Therefore, the first thing you need to do is search for the terms “room for rent”, “room to rent” or “flatmates wanted” when looking for this type of long-term accommodation in New Zealand.

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Step 2 – Where to Find Apartments to Rent in New Zealand

There are a few different resources you can use to find yourself an apartment to live in New Zealand, from online to in the supermarkets. Use a combination of them to increase your chances in finding accommodation fast!

Find a room to rent using the following:

• Bulletin magazines
• Ask co-workers and friends
• Use backpacker and local Facebook groups
• Supermarket boards
• Local newspapers
• Roommate websites

For more information on these, check out 6 Resources to Find a Room to Rent in New Zealand.

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Step 3 – Apartment Viewings

It should go without saying, but go to view the apartment before agreeing to move in! This way you can get more information out of your landlord/flatmates about the room and see if it’s a place you can actually see yourself living in for the next few months. However, still remember that it is only a few months – you’re not looking for your dream home here – so having an open mind will help you find a room faster and maybe even save some money.

When viewing the apartment, check that appliances work and ask your landlord the following:

• What is the cost of the rent, power bill and bond?
• What is the move-in date?
• The number of people allowed in the place? (Can you have guests, for example?)
• Is it fully-furnished?

You can get more information on what to look for when viewing an apartment in Find a Flat in New Zealand and here are some tips on things to look out for in Safety Tips Before Moving into a Flat or House in New Zealand.

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Step 4 – Fill Out the Paperwork

Once you’ve found yourself a place to live in New Zealand, it’s time to fill out some necessary paperwork. By filling up the right paperwork, you will be covered by certain laws in New Zealand should anything go wrong between you and your landlord. (Find out more about that in What Are Your Rights as a Tenant or Flatmate in New Zealand). Filling out paperwork also reduces misunderstandings so you know exactly what your tenancy entails.

The type of paperwork you might have to fill out includes:

• Tenancy agreement
• Flat/houseshare agreement
• Bond lodgement form

Find out more about these forms in The Paperwork Process of Renting or Flatting in New Zealand.

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Step 5 – Have an Awesome Time Renting an Apartment in New Zealand

Once you move in, all that’s left to do is to pay your rent and have an awesome time in your new home away from home! Sharing experiences with flatmates is the best part of renting an apartment so make sure everything goes smoothly by following these tips:

• 12 Tips to Get Along With Your Flatmates

Should you have any serious disputes between your flatmates and/or landlord, read What Are Your Rights as a Tenant or Flatmate in New Zealand for advice.