At International Living, we always recommend that you rent before you buy. Before you plunk down money on a house or condo in a new place, stay awhile and see if suits your needs.
Rentals in New Zealand are regulated by the Residential Tenancies Act and administered by the Building & Housing Group within the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment. They provide standard contracts that outline the terms of the contract and both sides’ responsibilities. They also hold the “bond” (deposit), and provide a dispute resolution service.
According to 2012 data, a two-bedroomed apartment will cost about NZ$1,000 to $1,400 a month in the more expensive suburbs in Auckland, and NZ$400 to $800 in less popular neighborhoods. Nationally, the average rental is about NZ$350 per week.