Housing
Over the last five to 10 years inner city apartments have also become a feature of the major cities. Most urban homes are stand-alone (detached) and constructed using wood.The majority of New Zealand houses are insulated, however most do not have central heating. Various heating options are available including open fire, wood burners, gas or electricity
House Prices & Buying a Home
In New Zealand homes are generally described as either houses apartments or townhouses. Apartments are generally modern and are essentially a small home with other homes above and/or below it in a block.A house is basically a detached/stand-alone house with an accompanying 'section', garden or piece of land.A townhouse is a detached/stand-alone house or it might be attached to another house. Townhouses are usually reasonably modern and have smaller gardens than houses.House prices vary greatly throughout New Zealand and within cities in New Zealand.The biggest factors influencing house prices are location and proximity to the main cities.Sea views and outdoor living areas are another key driver of house prices in New Zealand.Over the last five years New Zealand's housing market has experienced a boom, with prices rising dramatically in sought after locations.In particular, prices for coastal property have increased significantly, as have house prices in major metropolitan areas such as Auckland and Wellington.Rural 'lifestyle blocks' containing custom built homes with several acres of farmland are also particularly popular for people wanting to experience the relaxed pace of a semi-rural lifestyle.Most major newspapers run special property features in their Wednesday and Saturday editions. Furthermore real estate companies advertise current property listings via free illustrated property magazines and their websites.Please see our regional guides for housing information for the specific region you are interested in.
Rental Accommodation:
Upon arrival in New Zealand it may be a good idea to rent a house for a period of time until you determine where you want to live. Rental prices and quality vary considerably and it is always advisable to visit a property before signing a Tenancy Agreement, also known as a lease.Rental prices in New Zealand are largely influenced by the location of the house and the condition of the property. Areas that have good public transport services, wealthy residents and schools with good reputations, will have higher rental prices, as will houses that are offered in good condition.
Unfurnished Property Rental
Most rental properties are unfurnished, apart from an oven, a laundry facility and things like curtains and carpet. The landlord does not have to provide a heater so in some cases you may have to provide your own.The 'To Let' columns in major newspapers (particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays) are a good place to start looking for rental accommodation.Most landlords require tenants to pay a bond - usually equivalent to two or four weeks' rent. The landlord must deposit the bond and a Bond Lodgment form (signed by both parties) with the Tenancy Services Centre within 23 working days of receiving it.Please see our regional guides for specific rental information for the region you are interested in.
