Flatting & Cost of Living

You can rent a room in a house called a ‘flat’ that you share with other people. This is called ‘flatting’, and it is very common in New Zealand. This is a good option if you want to have freedom, yet live with a group of people. Living with people from other countries is a good way to practise your English and make new friends.

The cost of flatting will vary depending on the distance from the city centre, the number of people sharing, and the size and quality of the rooms. We advise students to organise a flat viewing to check the flat conditions. You can expect to pay anywhere between $160 and $350 per week for your room in the flat plus moving in costs, such as a bond and letting fee. You will also need to pay for expenses such as power, heating, internet and cleaning supplies.

This option is suitable for students who are planning to stay in the flat for a longer period (6 months or more). If you decide to go flatting, you can find a group of people you would like to live with and then go looking for a flat that will suit your group, or you can look for an existing flat that has a room available.

The table below is a sample budget based on an individual sharing with two other flatmates in a 3-bedroom flat:

If you decide that flatting is the best option for you, it is a good idea to book either homestay accommodation or city accommodation for the first 2 – 4 weeks of your stay in New Zealand. This will allow you time to search and secure a suitable place.

Popular Facebook groups or websites to search for flats include:

Flatmates wanted – Auckland (Facebook)
Flatmates Wanted in Auckland (Facebook)
www.trademe.co.nz/flatmates-wanted
www.ekproperty.co.nz
www.nzflatmates.co.nz
www.roomies.co.nz

Flat / Apartment Checklist

• Once you have found a flat, call the contact number or send an email to arrange a time to visit the flat.
• It’s important that you see the house and meet the landlord and other tenants before agreeing to move in or pay any deposit.
• Questions you should know before agreeing to move in:

1. How much is the rent per week? Does this include bills (e.g. water, electricity, internet)? If bills are not included, how much extra per week?
2. Is the room furnished?
3. Is there a bond? How much is it?
4. Who else lives in the house? What are their ages, genders etc?
5. How long can I stay?
6. What is the notice period?

• Make sure you understand the contract.
• Before signing or agreeing to anything, it’s important that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. You can find lots of useful information here: tenancy.govt.nz

This checklist will help you navigate the process of finding and securing a flat or apartment in New Zealand. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out!