Sections

Your payments

Most Housing New Zealand tenants pay rent by automatic payment. We can arrange to have your rent paid directly to us from your bank, your employer or from Work and Income if you get a benefit.

The Customer Services Centre on 0800 801 601 can help you set these up. Select Option 2 for rent or payments.

Bond

Usually the bond is the same as two weeks' rent. You pay it before you move in. The Department of Building and Housing’s Tenancy Services holds it and returns it to you if your house is in good condition and there's no money owing when you leave.

How we calculate your rent

Tenants with income lower than the rate of New Zealand Super may be eligible for income-related rent. If you qualify and you live alone, your weekly rent will be 25 percent of your net (take-home) income up to the New Zealand Super rate. If you earn more than this, 50 percent of your net income that is above the Super rate will be included as rent. You cannot be charged more than the market rent for the property.

For all other households, income-related rent is 25 percent of your household's net income up to the married New Zealand Super rate. If you earn over this, 50 percent of your net income above the married Super rate will be included as rent. You cannot be charged more than the market rent for the property.

More about income-related rent

Regular rent reviews

We review your rent annually, around the time you first moved into your house. Once we've reviewed your rent we'll write to you to let you know if it is changing or not. We will send you a form to fill out about four months before your rent is due to change. If you don't want to apply for income-related rent, or your income is over the threshold, we may charge the market rent for the property.

If your rent changes

If your rent drops it will happen straight away. If it goes up, we will tell you at least 60 days beforehand. If you pay income-related rent you need to tell us immediately if there is any change to your circumstances as this may affect the rent you pay. This could include a change to your income, your partner's income or the number of people living in your house.

If you disagree with a rent increase

We try to be fair in our decisions about your rent, but if you disagree with a decision we've made, please contact us on 0800 801 601 so we can explain. If you’re still not happy you can request a review of the decision.

If you disagree with that response, you can ask the Housing New Zealand Review Office to look at it. If you still disagree, you can take the matter to the State Housing Appeals Authority.

If you owe money

You must pay your rent and any other money you owe us on time. If you can't pay your rent or you're having trouble paying off any debts, contact us on 0800 801 601 and select Option 2 for rent or payments - we may be able to come to some payment arrangement where you pay in instalments.

If payments are often late or owing we will write to you.

  • Check the amount we say you owe and the reason for the debt.
  • Let us know straight away if you've already paid it, or if you don't think you owe the money.
  • Pay the debt in cash or by cheque at any branch of the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) within seven days of the date on the letter. We will include a BNZ deposit slip with the letter. You will need to take the letter and the deposit slip with you.
  • Tell us when you've made the payment.

If you can't pay the full amount at once, we can set up repayments over time to fit your budget. If you don't pay the money you owe, or contact us to arrange payment, we will ask the Tenancy Tribunal for an Order to end your tenancy with us. If the Tribunal grants the Order, you will have to leave your house and immediately pay the full amount.