CWEMM02

I was poking around the holiday home rentals on www.holidayhomes.co.nz and found that the prices seemed kind of high compared to the weekly rental for a house. We hope to land in June or July and have been thinking of renting a holiday home while we look for a house rental. Anyone on here have any experience with the holiday homes. We do speak to a real estate agent in Christchurch from time to time. She can help us find a rental for when we arrive, but then we would be giving the ok via photos. Any thoughts from the group?

Apple12

A big difference will be furnished vs non-furnished... also the holiday home should include the utilities in the price.
If you can get a "periodic tenancy" it means that you can move out giving a month's notice (I think) and doesn't tie you into a six or twelve month lease.

If you were moving to a city in the UK that you have never been to before, how would you aproach this problem? The place you stay when you first land is may not be where you want to be in in six months time - consider that you will get to know the areas, commuting times, schools etc. It is best to be somewhere shorter term while you figure this out. If you stress about finding the perfect place before you move over, all you will do is put too much pressure on yourselves.

Joshlin

Hi there
we stayed at Baxters Cottage in Sydenham, Christchurch - its listed on the website you referred to - we booked it for a month and got it for about $420 per week - fully furnished, 3 bedroomed, off road parking, including all electricity and toll calls. When we pulled up outside we were a little concerned cos the area was a bit tired but the cottage was lovely - it was warm (oil filled radiators and electric blankets), it was well looked after, included weekly cleaning / linen change, was well resourced with everything you will need and was pretty central to explore the city and surrounding areas - we would thoroughly recommend it.
Re: rentals - there are lots available throughout chch - some great, some not so - would be happy to go and view something on your behalf if that would be helpful to you. If you go this route you must push for a periodic - we were told we wouldn't get one and then when the agent spoke to the owner there was no problem - with a periodic you only need to give 21 days notice, however the landlord has to give you 90 days (or 42 if they intend to sell, use it for themselves or their own family).
If there's anything we can help with re: chch just shout
Vicki

sky

If you want a real kiwi experience book one of the cabins in one of the beach holiday parks. Woodend beach for instance or kairaki beach sometimes have cabins come up and they can be about $150 a wk. Some of our relatives are renting one long term right now and it has two bedrooms and power included for $120 per wk!

planty

Any ideas of rentals in Timaru?

All being well and fingers crossed should be in Christchurch in 6-8 weeks, we plan to stay there for a few days, buy a car and then start looking at Timaru as long term (possibly).

kiwichild

What a bloody great attitude! Sending some karma your way Vicki.

CWEMM02

Vicki, thanks for relating your experience. I am glad to hear that we could get something for a reasonable monthly rent while we select a rental. My wife is also a Vicki.