Taranaki is not immune to the current housing crisis as it continues to become more difficult to secure long term rental properties for many people. Our Transitional Housing team works alongside families needing accommodation, providing wrap-around support. They are referred by Work and Income New Zealand, although families can also self-refer. Taranaki Women’s Refuge rents four properties and with the support of our team work towards securing their own long term rental property. Our team has included some top tips they recommend to help families them find a new home.
- Book in to the Ready to Rent course through Work & Income – They have some great tips and advice to help you prepare for your property search. You will receive a Ready to Rent certificate which can be uploaded to your Tenancy Portal.
- Get Rental References – From previous property managers/landlords and/or character references from current or previous employer. Remember to ask their permission to list them as references on your applications.
- Apply for a Tenancy Cost Cover Letter to the Landlord from Work & Income (not everyone is eligible for one) – This is additional cover over and above the bond to provide, which give prospective landlords added security. Upload the letter to your Tenancy Portal.
- Make an appointment with a Budget Service – You can self-refer. They will let you know what your credit rating is, help you set up repayments and clear your debt (including liaising with finance companies on your behalf) and do a weekly budget. Property managers check your credit rating and debt when assessing applications. If you have a poor credit rating or are defaulting on payments, addressing this will increase your chances of being considered.
- Dress to Impress – Treat “viewings” like a job interview. You want to stand out from the crowd and make a great first impression.
- Be ready for Viewings – Arrive on time. Introduce yourself to the Property Manager so they can put a face to the name on applications. If something changes and you can’t make a viewing, let them know.
- Applications – Submit your application as soon as possible after viewing the property as Property Managers start short-listing people after a viewing.
- Work out how much you can afford to pay in rent before starting your property search. Work & Income can provide a Rent Affordability letter that you can upload to your Tenancy Portal.
- Get Internet Access – The library offers Skinny Jump (Spark), which offers a modem and connection at home for free, to those with no internet access.
- Create a Cover letter – with the following information and upload to your Tenancy Portal:
- Rental history – provide previous addresses and length of rental – with newest to oldest. If you have references, provide landlord’s name and contact number.
- Employment – if you are working full time or part time, where and how long. Provide character references if you don’t have any rental references.
- Children – how many children and their ages. If you have children that won’t be living with you, don’t include them.
- Debt/Poor Credit Rating/Tenancy Tribunal Rulings against you – Honesty is the best policy. Disclose this information as these are some of the first things Property Managers check when assessing applications. If you can give some context to what happened this can go a long way in helping your application to be considered. For example, if you have a tenancy tribunal ruling against you for damages caused by an ex-partner you are no longer with, explain this without going into details. If you had rent arrears due to job loss and couldn’t afford the rent, but have since repaid it or are now making repayments, let them know. These things will show up when Property Managers do their credit checks, so they will appreciate you being upfront.
- Rent – if your bond, rent in advance and weekly rent will be paid by direct debit from Work and Income, include this information, along with details about the additional Tenancy Cost Cover to the Landlord. This is an assurance for prospective landlords over and above the bond.
- Contact details – Current contact phone number and email address. Anything else you think might be relevant.
If you need support with accommodation contact us at admin@taranakiwomensrefuge.co.nz. Eligibility criteria applies for Transitional Housing.
