中文版 (Chinese Version) 한국어판 (Korean Version) home welcome tips to settle in Get the information you need Open a bank account Get an Inland Revenue Department Tax Number Housing Short Term and Long Term Renting Buying a House Services Get around Whangarei City and District Education Finding work Improve your English Health Care NZ Immigration Service emergency info everyday life fun & recreation Tips to settle in Find a Place to Live Short Term To find somewhere to stay before you rent or buy, see Accommodation Rental. Long Term Rent Most rental accommodation is in houses, units or flats owned by private landlords. Accommodation for rent is advertised in the local newspapers; The Northern Advocate (especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays), The Report and The Whangarei Leader. Go to the back Classifieds section under For Rent. Local real estate agents also advertise rental properties. See Real Estate Agents MREINZ When you rent you will need to pay a bond and/or rent in advance. Housing New Zealand Corporation (HCNZ) also provides rental housing. To apply for a house from HNZC you must have lived in New Zealand for two years. If you receive an emergency benefit and are suffering hardship, HNZC may accept your application sooner. Special assistance is available to people with refugee status. For further information Free Phone 0800 801-601, or go to http://www.hnzc.co.nz/hnzc/web/home.htm Tenancy Services Tenancy Services offers advice and mediation on renting. Free Phone: 0800 836 262 or for bond enquiries Free Phone: 0800 737 666, or go to http://www.dbh.govt.nz/tenancy-index A Tenancy Agreement is a written, legal contract between you and your landlord. The law says you must have one. For advice, contact Tenancy Services. Furniture and home ware - houses and most flats are advertised as unfurnished. Second-hand furniture and household goods can be purchased at second-hand shops. . See Secondhand Dealers. There are also a number of outlets in Whangarei selling quality new goods. Second hand goods are advertised in: www.buy-sell-exchange.co.nz TradeMe - an online auction site for people wanting to buy and sell goods; www.trademe.co.nz Garage Sales have cheap second-hand goods. They are usually held on Saturdays and sometimes Sundays, and are advertised in The Northern Advocate on Saturday. Many people also put signs on fences indicating the day and location of a garage sale. Trade and Exchange magazines are available at most book stores and some service stations. Check with www.consumer.org.nz for information on your rights when buying used goods. Buying a house When buying a house you can arrange finance through your bank or an independent mortgage lender. Most will ask you to pay a deposit (often 20% of the cost of the house) and will look at your income, your assets, debts and credit rating. Your bank will have information on the types of mortgages available. Properties for sale are advertised through: Real estate agents See Real Estate Agents MREINZ; The Realtor and Bluebook (weekly publications) available free at real estate agencies; The Northern Advocate. Look for Open Homes when you can visit the house without a real estate agent accompanying you. Free publications such as Homesell and Property Press are available at supermarkets, petrol stations and dairies and The Report and Whangarei Leader newspapers, which are delivered to your letterbox. This site gives some guidance on the property buying process: http://www.real-estate-nz.com/ All major real estate companies have websites that advertise houses nationwide. You may also buy a house through a private sale. Tip: Whangarei District Council service centres can advise you on what you need to know, ph: 0800 WDC INFO or 0800 932 4636. CAB can also advise you on legal services, ph: 0800 367 222.