Renting
Furnished or Unfurnished?
Unless your clinic provides a fully equipped house or you go the Airbnb route, most rentals in NZ come unfurnished. If your belongings are on the way, you can hire furniture and appliances in the meantime. Check out our SHOPPING resource to get set up.
Get a Head Start
A rental agent can help find the right place before you even land. Let them know what you need—how many bedrooms, proximity to work, schools, or transport links. If you’ve rented before, bring references to make the process even smoother.
Bond and Tenancy Agreements
You’ll need to pay a bond (four weeks’ rent) upfront. It’s fully refunded when you move out, unless there’s damage. It’s worth keep in mind that looking after your place reflects well on you personally and professionally.
Property Management and Inspections
Some landlords use property managers to handle maintenance and routine inspections (every 3–6 months). You’ll get 48 hours’ notice, and while you don’t have to be there, you can if you’d like.
Need more info? This link to Tenancy Services will answer A LOT of your questions!
Buying a House
Where you live when you first arrive in NZ will be suitable as you settle in. It might be a short term solution or you’ll decide it’s in an ideal area to look for a permanent home. Give yourself time to get to know the place, the amenities and the neighbourhood. Then you can make the best decision based on what’s important to you and relevant to your situation: proximity of schools, decent mountain bike trails, or the beach.
Talk to your bank or a mortgage broker to understand your budget and get a mortgage pre-approved. Then start house hunting!
An Open Home is a popular way to check out a property, where it is, whether it’s suitable for your needs and whether you’re getting value for money. This checklist outlines what to look for.
Real Estate agents can organise private viewings if you want to take a second – or third – look so you can think about where you’ll put the couch or store your kayaking gear.
Getting a Mortgage
National Real Estate agencies with regional offices include Bayleys, Harcourts and Ray White. There are also independent agencies in other centres.
If you need a home loan to purchase a property, talk to your bank or a mortgage broker. They can advise on interest rates, having a fixed, floating or combined mortgage, and organise pre-approval.
