“Unfurnished” in NZ doesn’t mean completely empty — most homes come with:

• Stove and oven (almost always)
• Dishwasher (common)
• Washer/dryer (sometimes, especially in apartments)
• Built-in wardrobes
• Curtains/blinds

Furnished homes are usually short-term and include beds, lounge suites, dining tables, and basic kitchen gear, unless specified otherwise. A good option if you are still looking for a long-term rental and in the beginning stages of gathering furniture.

Mel’s Note: 

Fully furnished homes can be a good option while you’re settling in, for your first 3–6 months while you look for something long-term or wait for your furniture to arrive.

In NZ, you may rent from either:

Private Landlords – The property owners themselves.

• You deal directly with them for rent, bond, inspections, and repairs.
• Build a good relationship but make sure EVERYTHING is in writing.
• Usually more flexible with pets, changes to the home, and inspection.

Property Managers / Agents – They manage rentals for the owner.

• They follow strict processes and legal timelines.
• Less flexibility on things like pets or lease changes, but usually more professional communication.

Important: Whether private or through an agent, your bond must legally be lodged with Tenancy Services — not kept by the owner. You can even lodge it yourself if you feel unsure.

Bond Lodgement Info & Forms → Tenancy Services

Your privacy matters: A landlord or agent cannot just show up at your property. They must give proper written notice and follow the legal timelines set out in the Residential Tenancies Act. If they turn up unannounced and want to “look in the garage,” you can say no.

More details: Landlord Access Rules – Tenancy Services

• Most owners prefer fixed-term tenancies (usually 12+ months).
• Before the end of the lease, the landlord/agent will contact you and may offer a new fixed term or allow you to go month-to-month (periodic tenancy).

Notice Periods:

• Fixed-term tenancy: Landlord must give 90 days’ notice if they want you to move out (unless the fixed term ends).
• Periodic tenancy: Either party must give 21 days’ notice — this gives you time to prepare for your next move.

Mel’s Note:

Make sure you and your family like the area, schools, work commute, and the house before signing for more than a year. Breaking a lease is expensive — you have to continue paying rent until they find another suitable tenant (plus sometimes cover marketing/advertising costs as well) — and it doesn’t look good for your future rental references.

→ Tenancy Agreements & Notice Periods

1. Trade Me Property
2. Realesate.co.nz
3. Facebook Marketplace & local FB groups
4. Noticeboards at supermarkets or libraries (especially in smaller towns)

Members get:

• Insider methods to get ahead of the queue and be contacted before properties go public.

• Printable templates and a contact tracker.

• Example emails you can send even before landing in NZ.

• Viewings are usually only 15–30 minutes with multiple groups attending.
• Some agencies require you to apply/register for the property before viewing.
• If the times don’t suit, ask for a private viewing.
• Dress neatly, be polite, and ask questions — first impressions count.
• Check for mould, leaks, ventilation, and general condition — these can affect health and comfort.

Mel’s Note:

NZ homes can get very mouldy — this is a big issue and can cause health problems. Make sure the house is well ventilated and it doesn’t smell or feel damp. Look in the corners of the windows and ceilings — mould loves to hide there and it’s usually a dead giveaway.

Members Only: Printable Viewing Checklist &  Important Questions for the Agent/Landlord

By law, all rentals must meet the Healthy Homes Standards for:

• Heating (fixed heater in living area)
• Insulation (ceiling/underfloor)
• Ventilation (windows + extractor fans)
• Moisture ingress & drainage
• Draught stopping

Kiwi Home Tips: Staying Warm, Dry & Healthy

Kiwi homes are different from what many Saffas are used to — and keeping them warm and dry can be a bit of an art form!

1. Ventilation is Key

• Open windows for 10–15 minutes each day, even in winter.
• Use extractor fans when cooking or showering — leave them running a bit longer to clear steam.

2. Manage Moisture

• Wipe condensation off windows and sills daily.
• Dry clothes outside when possible; if drying inside, ventilate the room or use a vented dryer.
• Keep furniture a hand’s-width away from walls to prevent mould.

3. Heating & Insulation

• Check the property meets Healthy Homes Standards (ceiling & underfloor insulation are a must!).
• Heat the rooms you use most — a dry house is cheaper to heat and better for your health.
• Draught stop where needed — check for gaps under doors or around windows.

4. Simple Daily Habits

• Use pot lids when cooking to reduce steam.
• Open curtains during the day to let the sun warm the house, close them before sunset to keep the heat in.
• Regularly check gutters and downpipes to avoid leaks or damp walls.

Helpful Links:

Healthy Homes Standards – Tenancy Services

GenLess Guide – Reduce Moisture in Your Home

Mel’s Note:

Mould can sneak up on you here! Keeping windows open a crack, even in winter, makes a HUGE difference. And always check around window corners at viewings — it tells you a lot about how well a house has been looked after.

Members Only: Healthy Homes Mini-Audit.

Always be upfront about your pets!

Mel’s Note:

We have a Chihuahua that is smaller than most cats — every time a listing said “cats only” or “no pets,” we asked when we enquired about a viewing, and more often than not, they said that’s fine. Don’t be afraid to politely ask, especially if your dog is small and well-trained! Giving as much info as possible about your pet (age, breed, size, personality) can really work in your favour. Most rentals are cat friendly though, finding a rental with pets are a challenge to begin with so keep that in mind.

Explain how you manage your pet:

• Fully house-trained? Mention it
• Sleeps outside? Say so.
• Quiet and well-behaved? Highlight that.
• Offer to cover any pet-related damage or do additional cleaning when you leave (that’s why the bond is in place as well).

Pet Registration & Microchips:

If you have a pet, here are links to help you register them in your new local council — legal requirement, and often cheaper/more cooperative if you’re upfront:
• Auckland Council – Register your dog
• Hamilton City Council – Register a new dog
• Wellington City Council – Dog registration
• Tauranga City Council – Dog registration
• Marlborough District Council – Dog registration

At-a-glance: “No pets” often means “no big dogs” — small, well-trained pets may be accepted.

Members Only: Pet CV Template + Agent/Owner Message Scripts.

• Inspections are every 3–4 months, with 48 hours’ written notice.
• They check cleanliness, maintenance, and compliance with the lease.
• Always report issues early to protect your bond.
• They ask if there is any maintenance issues that needs to be addressed (perks of renting).

Mel’s Note:

One of the perks of renting is that the landlord or property manager is responsible for maintenance! During inspections, they often ask if there are any issues that need fixing. Property managers are usually quick to send someone, while landlords may take a bit longer. In fact, many property managers keep part of your rent set aside specifically for maintenance costs — so don’t hesitate to raise issues.

→ Your Rights & Responsibilities As A Tenant

At-a-glance: Inspections aren’t snooping — they’re an insurance requirement and a chance to get maintenance done.

Members Only: Inspection Prep Checklist + “What They Check & Photograph” Guide.

When you apply for a rental, expect to be asked for:

• Photo ID (passport, NZ driver’s license, or visa)

• Job offer or employment contract

• Recent payslips or proof of income

• References — employer and/or personal

• Credit check consent (some agencies do this automatically)

If you don’t yet have local references or payslips, you can use:

• Letter from your previous South African landlord.

• Employment reference from your current or recent employer.

• Bank statements to show financial reliability and affordability.

At-a-glance: Reliability beats perfection — show that you’re organised, responsible, and financially stable.

Members Only: Rental CV Template & Step-by-Step Application Process Guide

• Sharing a house or flat is a common option in larger towns and cities — especially in Auckland, Wellington, and student areas like Dunedin.
• You’ll usually pay rent for your room and share bills (power, internet, sometimes groceries) with others. In most cases, one person is the “head tenant” on the main lease, and everyone else pays them their share.

Mel’s Note: 

When I first arrived, I boarded with kiwi’s and really wished I had asked for a written agreement. It just makes things feel concrete. Later, when someone rented a room from us, we did set up a simple rental agreement — so he knew exactly what he was paying for and where his money was going. Having something in writing avoids awkwardness and protects everyone.

At-a-glance: Even in flatting, it pays to get things in writing.

• Wellington: windy, hilly + earthquake prone — ask about strengthening.

Mel’s Note:

When we were in Wellington a few years back, competition was fierce — queues out the door, 30–50 applications for one house, and we often applied for places we didn’t even love just to get something.

Recent update (2025): The Wellington market has shifted. Renters now have more choices, more rentals are sitting vacant, and owners are reducing rent to secure long-term tenants. One local landlord told us their flat sat empty for 5 weeks until they agreed to drop the rent.

Note on Apartments:

Apartments can come with extra, less obvious bills:

1. Water is often included in rates (so covered by the rent), but water heating may be billed separately.
2. Some landlords/agents manage the water heating account for you, others expect tenants to sign up themselves.
3. Internet, rubbish collection, and car park fees also vary by building.

Insider Tip: In some cases, landlords even include extras like internet — but don’t assume. Always ask at the viewing: “What exactly is included in the rent, and what bills will I need to set up separately?”

• Christchurch: post-quake repairs — ask for EQC/building info.
• Auckland: competition is fierce — apply on the spot with docs ready.
• Southland/West Coast: lower rent, higher winter heating.

At-a-glance: Local risks = local questions — tailor your checklist.

Members Only: Local Questions Checklist Guide

1. Do a move-out photo set mirroring your move-in photos.
2. Use the initial inspection checklist the landlord/agent gives you, and double-check everything before signing.
3. Deep-clean: carpets, oven, bathrooms, skirtings, windows, and wipe the ceiling.
4. Return all keys/remotes; keep receipts for any professional cleaning.

Mel’s Note:

This is one of those “learned the hard way” lessons. When we moved into a property in Wellington, we didn’t take proper move-in photos or go through the pre-inspection checklist ourselves — we trusted that the agency would do everything fairly and record any existing damage accurately (since we’d never had issues with previous rentals).

When we later moved from Wellington to Blenheim, that trust backfired. The agency claimed there was damage we’d caused — damage that was already there when we moved in, but hadn’t been marked on their inspection form, and we had no photos to prove otherwise. Because we were already on another island, we couldn’t go back to dispute it, and we lost part of our bond unfairly.

Never again! We now always take our own photos and double-check the pre-inspection checklist before signing. It’s your best protection if anything ever gets questioned later.

At-a-glance: Move-in photos + checklist = bond protection.

Bond Reality Check

• No instant refunds: You only get bond back after the landlord/agent does the final inspection, sends you the bond refund form to sign, and then lodges it with Tenancy Services.
• The process is slow — ours took nearly 2 months just to lodge after moving into a new property.
• Some agencies resist bond transfers because of these delays.

Mel’s Note:

People often assume their bond comes back the day they move out — it doesn’t. It’s a lengthy process, so if you’re moving straight into a new rental, plan how you’ll cover the new bond.