Advice & Tools

Check out the implications of fixed-term leases before signing them – you are agreeing to pay rent for the entire time, meaning you can’t move out unless the landlord agrees to break the lease. OPSA recommends periodic leases if these suit you better.

Also be aware that in joint leases all tenants are joint and severally liable – this means if a flat-mate does a runner the landlord can expect you to pay their rent. OPSA recommends room-by-room leases if that suits you better.

Accommodation Listings

Tenancy Tips

Starting a Tenancy – What do you need to know when you’re starting a new tenancy? A young house which is a bit wet behind the eaves gets some helpful tips from an older house who’s been around the block.

Maintenance and Inspections – It’s important to keep rental homes healthy, but who’s responsible for keeping the property in a good condition? As this little house finds out, tenants and landlords each have a role to play.

Dealing with Disputes – Sometimes it’s difficult to see eye to eye on a problem, but talking to each other is the best way to sort it out. If that doesn’t work, Tenancy Services has other options you can try.

Rent, Bond & Bills – Confused about what needs to be paid to who at the beginning of a tenancy? A young house up to its rafters in questions about rent, bond and bills gets all the answers from his neighbour.

Ending a Tenancy – What do you need to think about when a tenancy comes to an end? One of our houses learns about how far ahead to give notice, and how to get the bond back.

Compliance & Inspection – This rental house has a tricky situation, and talking to the landlord hasn’t helped. The whole street pitches in – could it be a case for the Tenancy Services Compliance & Investigations team?

Cooking

Here’s a great cook book full of delicious and cheap meals that you can cook at home or for your flat mates

Click here to download the cook book

Also check out the internet for heaps of recipes or Countdown for their give-away meal recipes https://shop.countdown.co.nz/recipes or http://www.foodinaminute.co.nz/