Housing in New Zealand: renting, bonds, healthy homes, buying, power and rates

Before you buy a home in New Zealand, check your status. New Zealand citizens, and residents who are 'ordinarily resident', can buy without permission. If you hold a residence class visa but are not yet ordinarily resident, you must first get approval (consent) from Toitū Te Whenua LINZ, and you can buy only one home to live in. People on temporary visas, such as student, work or visitor visas, generally cannot buy. This guide also covers KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals, the bright-line rule when you sell, and LIM reports.

The healthy homes standards are the minimum rules for rental homes in New Zealand. They cover five areas: heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. From 1 July 2025, all private rental homes must meet the standards, unless an exemption applies. The landlord is responsible for this. If your home does not meet the standards, talk to your landlord first. If that does not work, send a notice to remedy. As a last step, apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

New Zealand has many electricity companies, and you can compare prices and switch at any time. The Electricity Authority runs a free comparison website called Billy. When you choose a new company, it arranges the switch for you, which takes 3–4 days on average. If you cannot pay your power bill, tell your electricity company straight away. A company must follow a set process before it can disconnect you. If you have a dispute with your electricity company, Utilities Disputes can help for free. People who get certain benefits or a pension also get a Winter Energy Payment automatically in winter.

Rates are a yearly charge that property owners pay to their local council. Your rates usually include city or district council rates and regional council rates. Some areas also charge water rates separately. If you rent, you do not pay rates; your landlord pays them. If you own and live in your home and have a low income, you can apply every year for a rates rebate. For 2026/27, the rebate is up to NZ$830. If you cannot afford your rates, you can also ask your council whether you can postpone paying them (postponement).

When you rent a home in New Zealand, your landlord can ask for a bond (a security deposit). The bond can be no more than 4 weeks' rent. Your landlord cannot keep it. They must lodge it with Tenancy Services, a government service. When you move out, your landlord starts the refund online and you confirm it. If you cannot agree on the refund, you can try mediation or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal.

If you rent a home in New Zealand, the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 sets the rules. Your landlord must give you written notice in advance before raising the rent, entering the home or ending the tenancy. Your landlord must also fix things that break. This page explains how often rent can go up and how much notice is needed, how much notice each side must give to end a tenancy, the rules for inspections and entry, and the basic rules on repairs and pets. For bond questions, see our 'Rental bond' guide.