Flatting & Renting

A large number of students live in privately owned flats and houses. Most of these are within easy walking or cycling distance of the University. The Accommodation Adviser has up-to-date lists from private owners and Real Estate agents of flats and houses in the area. Flats vary from 3-6 bedroom houses on their own section to multi-storied complexes of studios or one and two bedroom flats Houses with 3-6 bedrooms are in great demand as are 2 bedroom flats.

Students can click on the link above to access lists of houses, flats & boarding situations available. The Accommodation Adviser (situated in the Accommodation and Conference Services Office) also has these lists printed off that are available for students.

Advantages of Flatting

You can usually find accommodation which suits your needs, e.g bed-sit/studio, flat/house or established flat
You can share with friends, a lot of people, on your own, or just one or two people
You can prepare your own meals or share cooking with other members of the flat
You can use your own furniture

Before Signing Up

Work out what you can afford to pay before you become committed
Make sure you know your rights and obligations as a tenant. Tenancy Services provides a number of booklets to assist you. Copies are available from the Accommodation Adviser, Accommodation and Conference Services Office
Inspect the premises inside and outside before you sign a tenancy agreement. Make sure you have a property inspection sheet signed by both you and your landlord at the start of the tenancy

The Tenancy Agreement

As of 1 December 1996, the law requires that all tenancy agreements be in writing. The landlord must provide you with a copy of the Tenancy Agreement. Read it carefully. If there is anything you do not understand, get advice from Tenancy Services, or the Accommodation Adviser before you sign it
Most leases are for a fixed term tenancy (e.g. from 1 January to 31 December). If you agree to this type of lease you will be liable for the full rent for whatever period you have agreed on. Most large houses and flats available to students are rented on a fixed term agreement
You may be able to agree on a periodic tenancy (no term specified), then you will only need to give 3 weeks notice to vacate the flat. You will only be obliged to pay up until the end of the three weeks notice

The Bond

Landlords can request a sum for a bond, of up to 4 weeks rent. Bonds secure the house or flat and safeguard the landlord/landlady from any damage you may cause or rent you may fail to pay. All bonds must be lodged with Tenancy Services and are refundable if all rent has been paid in full and the premises well maintained.

Sharing a Flat

If you move into a flat and sign a tenancy agreement along with several other people, you become a co-tenant, taking on responsibility for the whole tenancy. This means that if one of the flatmates causes damage to the property or gets behind in paying rent, all of the other joint tenants are held responsible and can be asked to pay the debt.

If you are not a co-tenant (i.e. didn't sign the agreement) you are not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. Therefore you should protect yourself by having a flat sharing agreement (in writing) with the other tenants, covering issues such as bond, rent and notice. Flat sharing agreements are available from the Accommodation Office.

Costs Involved

You can expect to pay between $90 and $120 per week for your room in a flat. When all expenses, including food, power and phone, are added, living in some flats costs approximately the same as private board or living in a Halls of Residence.

Cost of flatting per week per person
(based on recent figures with 2-4 flatmates)
Rent	$90-$120
Food	$40-$50	These costs only inlcude the very basic essentials
Miscellaneous Items	$20-$30	Always try to allow for unforseen expenses
Internet Costs	www.lightwire.co.nz/help/doku.php
Electricity, gas and phone	$15-$20

Remember that rent still has to be paid over he holidays, especially over the Christmas break, if you want to keep the flat for the next year and you are on a fixed term agreement
If a vacancy occurs in the flat, the remaining tenants have to pay proportionally more until the room is filled, as the full rent still has to be paid to the landlord
When you connect your electricity and gas you will be expected to pay a bond. With a telephone account there is a service fee for connection. You will need to decide whose name will be on each of these accounts. Ultimately, the person whose name is on the account will be responsible if the account is unpaid
Make sure that you allow in your budget for 'extras', such as any special food requirements you may have, that your flatmates don't think they should have to pay for

Ending the Tenancy

Make sure that any notice to end a periodic tenancy is in writing. Tenants should give at least 21 days notice. Landlords normally should give 90 days notice to the tenants, unless they wish to move into the house themselves, in which case it is 42 days notice.

The Accommodation and Conference Services office displays rental accommodation and flatting vacancies on the notice boards outside the Accommodation Adviser's office. These notice boards are accessible 24 hours a day.

The Accommodation Adviser is able to assist or provide information on most tenancy matters and holds a range of pamphlets from the Tenancy Services including copies of agreements.

See Tenancy Services for further details.

Private Board

Private board is an alternative to a Hall of Residence or flatting. Households cover different social and ethnic backgrounds and family arrangements. Usually three meals a day are provided. A cut lunch may be provided although the opportunity to make your own is usually offered. The cost of board includes food, power and telephone rental, though toll calls will be extra. Some hosts charge a small amount over the winter weeks to cover the extra power usage.

First year students often look for this type of accommodation as it offers security and home comforts with some independence. Older students also look for this accommodation as it frees them from cooking and housework and gives them more study time.

Advantages of Private Boarding

Meals are prepared and washing is often done for you
Fully furnished room
Different forms of board available to suit you, e.g. with a family or house share
Your board may be reduced over the holidays or periods away

The Costs

Householders are free to charge whatever they feel is reasonable.

Full board for 7 days is approximately $180. Alternatively, you may be offered board on a Buy/Cook own food basis - this means you will generally be provided with a furnished room and the use of the facilities, but you will need to buy and cook your own food. The cost for this ranges from around $100-$120 per week.

Full board generally means 3 meals a day (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner), room cleaned and washing done. If you do not want full board then you should negotiate accordingly
If you are boarding for 7 days a week and want to go away for a weekend you should give your host prior warning. They may reduce your board to a 5-day price for that week
If you are going away during the holiday period the householder may normally reduce your board to around a third of the price you normally pay. This serves as a 'retainer' to keep your room vacant so you can leave your personal possessions in the room during your absence
Householders generally ask for board to be paid a week in advance to guard against the possibility of a student later deciding not to take the accommodation, or leaving their accommodation without notice

Before Moving In

Ask what help is expected with normal tasks, how and when the rent is to be paid and the amount to be paid when you are absent for weekends or vacations. Some students are able to negotiate a five-day a week boarding situation
Establish the householder's wishes in relation to smoking, alcohol and friends visiting. Responsible hours should be observed
Make sure you tell the householder of any disability, allergies, medical problems or specific dietary needs you have
Understand clearly if there are any children or animals in the home
Write down any other points of interest in the form of an agreement - especially in regard to money, e.g. amount to be paid when you are not there. Both you and the householder should keep a copy. Suitable boarding agreements between the householder and boarder are available from the Accommodation Office

Scotland Place Flats

The University of Waikato owns a block of 8 one-bedroom flats in Scotland Place, which are available to graduate students. These flats are located beside the Waikato Management School.

Each fully carpeted flat contains a fridge/freezer, automatic washing machine and a drier. Tenants must provide their own furniture.

The Accommodation and Conference Services Office administers these flats. For more information, contact the Accommodation Office on 07 838 4084, or call in at the Accommodation and Conference Services Office. There is often a waiting list for these flats.

Rental Properties

The University owns a small pool of rental properties adjacent to campus which are available to visiting faculty. These properties, one 4 bedroom house, three 3 bedroom houses and a one bedroom flat are all fully furnished and set up with linen, crockery, kitchen utensils and a television. Visitors need only bring their personal belongings.

For further information or bookings, please contact the Accommodation Office on 07 838 4537.