Frequently Asked Questions

If you are offered a room, you will be asked to pay bond equal to one week’s rent, plus two weeks’ rent in advance.  The moving-in costs are therefore equal to three weeks’ rent in total.

Your next rent is not due until the first payment of rent has been used.  Rent is payable up to and including the date of departure. When you end your tenancy, assuming your rent is up to date, the amount you can expect to get back is the bond, which will be equal to one week’s rent.

Rent is payable by automatic payment or direct debit, in advance.  You will pay for your first two weeks when you move in. You should arrange to set up an automatic bank payment from a date on or before the expiry of that two-week period, to cover rent payable for the following week. 

Most residents pay rent weekly in advance.  You are welcome to arrange fortnightly or monthly payments to suit your pay cycles, but they must be for rent in advance.  Any unexpired portion of the rent paid in advance is repayable to you at the end of your tenancy.

The bond is equal to one week’s rent.  This is held by the Landlord, not lodged with Tenancy Services. The bond will be repaid at end of tenancy subject to rent being up to date, key returned and room and chattels left clean and undamaged.  Unrecovered damages, penalty fees and rent arrears may be recovered from the bond at the end of the tenancy.  The bond refund will be paid by direct credit to the Tenants’ nominated bank account within 10 business days from the date of departure, or from the date that the Tenants notify the Landlord of their bank account details, whichever is the later.  

Your weekly rent is inclusive of all operating expenses such as power, water, internet, rubbish collection and cleaning of communal areas. 

Meals and linen are not supplied.  Mattress protectors are provided and required to be used.

The only other expenses may be for washing, with coin-operated machines in some properties, and car parking.

Parking availability differs across the properties.  Where car parking is available on-site, this is available on an allocated basis for an extra charge and discussed when you sign your tenancy agreement.  If you have not been allocated a car park, you will need to park on the street.

Shared Living NZ properties are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.  Due to the communal living arrangements within each property the properties are classified as “boarding houses” and your tenancy agreement is a boarding house tenancy agreement.  More information can be found at tenancy.govt.nz.

We invite applications from prospective residents who would like to stay for 90 days or more.  However, you are only required to give 48 hours’ notice, meaning that you can move out at short notice if your circumstances change, although more notice is always appreciated.

Each property has a set of House Rules, which form part of your tenancy agreement.  These rules govern expected behaviour within the shared living situation and are designed to ensure the comfort and safety of every resident.  House Rules can be changed with 7-days’ notice.

The House Rules vary slightly between properties but broadly require tenants to be considerate and respect each other and their property.  Rules apply to limit excessive drinking and the ability of non-residents to drink alcohol in communal areas.  There is no smoking inside and no drugs on the property at any time.

Yes. The laws around the COVID-19 pandemic are changing quickly.  Shared Living NZ has adopted a policy that all new tenants will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the commencement of their tenancy, for the safety of all residents.

Where a new tenant has only had a single dose of the vaccine, they agree to ensure that they obtain the second dose as soon as reasonably practicable.  New tenants also agree to obtain any subsequent booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Government of New Zealand, if and when these become available.

Shared Living NZ may ask to see evidence of vaccination. 

Shared Living NZ offers fully furnished rooms, including bed, wardrobe, drawers, chair, fridge/freezer and pantry cupboard.  If you wish to bring in extra furniture, this can usually be arranged by agreement.  Supplied furniture should be maintained in good order and remain in the room, although temporarily moving a chair for use somewhere else and returning it is fine. 

Linen is not supplied.  You should arrange to bring your own linen and bedding.

Visitors are generally required to leave the premises by 10pm.  An exception is made for the occasional overnight guest in your room, provided this is not more than two nights per week.  Any person wishing to have a guest stay for more than two nights per week will need to apply to the Landlord to have the guest added as a tenant on their tenancy agreement.  Tenants are responsible for the actions of their visitors and guests and any damage they might cause. 

Yes.  All Shared Living NZ properties offer high speed wireless internet, which is included in your rent.

No, pets are not permitted at the properties.

Common areas are cleaned weekly. This is included in your rent.  You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself when using communal areas, including kitchens and bathrooms, and ensuring that your room remains in a clean and sanitary state.

Yes. Shared Living NZ properties are all private residences.  There is no reception area and no public access.  Please ensure that you have an invitation from one of our team before entering the property.

Shared Living NZ offers a broad range of rooms, from small single rooms with shared bathrooms through to large double rooms with ensuites and private outdoor decks.  Prices range from $170 to $340 per week, depending on the size and location of the room in question. Couples can reside in double rooms for an extra $40 per week.  If you require a room of a particular size or price, please state this in your application form.

No.  Shared Living NZ does not offer dorm-room accommodation or twin share rooms.

Shared Living NZ has a full-time maintenance team and access to trusted tradespeople that know our properties well. Requests for repairs or maintenance can be reported to your on-site manager or emailed directly to info@sharedliving.nz for actioning.