Finding a Suitable Home

There is a shortage of affordable housing in New Zealand, and social housing stock is reserved for New Zealand citizens (on a low income) and a small number of quota refugees. If you are a quota refugee, your Community Navigator can advice you on what housing options you maybe eligible for. The Settling-in programme offered by Red Cross offers comprehensive information about some of the support you maybe eligible for (depending on your situation) - www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/migration-programmes/pathways-settlement

 

There are also many types of affordable community housing options available for new migrants depending on your unique circumstances. Some affordable housing open to new migrants on a low income include community housing and affordable rentals. Affordable rentals are provided by community housing organisations for the express purpose to make homes more accessible to individuals and their families. Affordable rents are commonly set at less than 80% of market rent in an area. For more information, contact Community Housing Aotearoa - communityhousing.org.nz/what-is-community-housing

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If your income level is higher than the threshold which qualifies your for subsidised, affordable rentals, you can look for suitable options in the private rental market in your area. A commonly used search is TradeMe properties - www.trademe.co.nz/a/property/residential/rent 

 

For more information about the legalities of renting, visit the comprehensive Tenancy Tribunal website www.tenancy.govt.nz/starting-a-tenancy for everything you need to know about your rights, responsibilities, and dispute resolution procedures in case of a conflict with your landlord.