gazzer15

Hi all
well we are almost there looking to rent somewhere near Wellington in April not too far from the city have looked on-line to get ideas of cost availabilty etc bit of a minefield not knowing good or bad areas. Just two adults so apartment or house as long as its in a safe area Hopefully both be working any suggestions on how much we should pay or any help greatfully received.
Have thought about maybe a holiday let for a couple of weeks to give us chance to scout around .

simonmarkellis

Yep, good idea to get a holiday home for coupe of weeks while you decide where to set up camp more permanently. Have you tried looking at www.holidayhouses.co.nz or www.holidayhomes.co.nz, good places to start. I don't think you can go to wrong with holiday homes, most areas are pretty good.

dreamfish

How about

www.ngaiohomestay.co.nz

or

Rita's B&B (can highly recommend and extremely reasonable - she charged us $60 a night)
55 Spencer Street, crofton Downs
04 934 5957

When you speak to them, tell them both you were recommended by Expat Katie.

phil01

Hi Gazzer, when you rent out here you are only tied in for 3 weeks...not 6 months as in the UK. So you can in fact look for any rental property.

Maz

Not entirely... We're tied in for 6 months, but have hopefully found new tenants. We're still paying rent and mortgage. And yes it's killing us financially!

gazzer, a few questions... how long are you looking to rent for? Do you want to buy pretty quickly? Any idea of the area / budget you're looking at? Here are some options we tried: Central City Apartments in Wellington. We got a larger apartment as we have a young daughter, so you'd be able to save on cost by getting a one-bedroom place. Also Aotea Lodge out in Papakowhai. Both the above have kitchenettes and the essentials you need for cooking. If you're coming in April you'll miss the Easter break which is good. We rented a holiday home last Easter for an absolutely exorbitant amount per night, simply because it was Easter. It was miles from anywhere too, so your timing is good.

BEVS

Yes. You need to make sure you only sign a 'Periodic Tenancy' and not a 'Fixed Term' , otherwise you could find yourselves financially tied into something you no longer need as Maz has stated..

Periodic - you only need give 3 weeks notice.

Also, make sure your bond goes to tenancy services.

Look for 'extras' that the landlord may requires and negotiate about these.

Possible rotten extras -
Professionally clean carpets
Find replacement tenant - what a blummin' cheek.

Go over the place , with your landlord, with a fine toothcomb. The landlord will certainly inspect after you have left. The landlord can withhold your bond if they feel that you need to recompense them in some way - in any way !

i.e.
service and tidy a garden after you have left.
replace net curtains
cleaning standards - they may request professional cleaners to come in if they are not satisfied.

Most landlords are great. We had terrible trouble with one and a dream with another.

This is New Zealand, you can try to haggle over the rent. We did on both occasions and brought the price down.

gazzer15

Thanks for the info Bev all details noted. Its great to know all this help is on hand. we are at present coming over on visiters visa unless we get an offer in the mean time one or two irons in the fire! Cant wait to meet you all. Garry & Lyn

gazzer15

We are hoping to secure work then yes if all is ok we will look to buy at present the target area is Wellington or very near that could change with a job offer! Probably looking to rent between 3-6 mths How are you settling in ?

Maz

Well it's a pretty big area... tons of different regions and suburbs. We're nicely settled in now, thank you. Very much at home.