Frequently asked questions

Public housing is for people who can’t afford private rent. The Government helps by paying part of the rent.

These homes are provided by Kāinga Ora and Community Housing Providers.

You’ll need to meet certain criteria to qualify, and there may be a wait for a suitable property.

You may be eligible for public housing if you:

• are aged 16 or older
• are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (or meet other residency requirements)
• usually live in New Zealand
• have a low income and few assets
• have housing needs that can’t be met in the private market
   

Work and Income will assess your situation to see if you meet the criteria.

Information adapted from Work and Income NZ Who can get public housing

To apply for public housing, the first step is to register with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

Head to the Work and Income website to learn more about the application process 

1. Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 (or 0800 552 002 if you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension).
2. Discuss your situation and possible support. If eligible, you’ll be booked for a housing assessment interview. Support people or interpreters can attend.
3. Attend the interview, provide your housing needs and documents (ID, income proof, assets, etc.).Wait on the social housing register for a suitable property.
4. Accept an offer by signing the tenancy agreement when a property is available.
    

Steps adapted from Work and Income NZ Apply for public housing

No Home in Place does not set or change your rent. Rents are managed by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

MSD reviews your rent at least once a year, or sooner if your income or household changes. They will notify you in writing if your rent changes.

• Rent usually only changes if it goes up by $5 or more, or down by $1 or more per week.
• If you disagree with a rent change or receive a market rent notice, contact MSD straight away.
• You may need to provide payslips so MSD can review your rent amount.

Act quickly! Ignoring a market rent notice can lead to rent debt and possible tribunal action.

More information: www.workandincome.govt.nz/housing

Contact MSD: www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/contact-us

To report a maintenance issue:

• call 0800 124 663 
• email us at newzealand@homeinplace.org

To help us respond quickly and effectively, please:

1. Give your full name and address
2. Clearly describe the maintenance issue or concern
3. Leave a contact number, especially if calling from a different phone
4. Answer calls from "private number" or "no caller ID"
5. Make sure your phone can receive calls from private numbers
6. For non urgent issues, check your phone, email and mailbox for updates
7. Respond to messages by calling 0800 124 663 or emailing newzealand@homeinplace.org
    

If it is urgent, always call us rather than texting or emailing. This makes sure it is received and actioned straight away.

Also, please check that we have the correct details for your emergency contact.

 Yes!

At Home in Place, we believe that communication is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable living experience for everyone in our community. One simple way you can help us achieve this is by keeping your contact details current.

Why Is This Important?

1. Emergency Notifications: In case of emergencies, such as maintenance issues or community alerts, we need to reach you quickly. Updated contact information ensures you receive timely notifications.
2. Community Updates: We share important information about events, services, and changes that affect you and your home. Stay informed by keeping your details accurate.
3. Personalised Support: If we need to reach out for any reason—whether it’s regarding your lease, repairs, or support services—we want to ensure we can connect with you easily.

How to Update Your Details:

It’s quick and easy! You can update your contact information by:

• Phone: Call us at 0800 124 663 during our office hours, and our friendly staff will assist you.
• Email: Send us an email at newzealand@homeinplace.org with your updated information, and we’ll take care of the rest..

No, pets are not allowed in any of our properties. 

This is a clear term of your tenancy agreement, and keeping a pet in your home is considered a breach of lease. Violating this rule can result in serious consequences, including the termination of your tenancy. We understand that pets can be an important part of your life, but we ask that all tenants comply with this policy to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone in the community.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for further clarification. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Tenants in social housing must adhere to specific regulations outlined in their tenancy agreements, which typically detail the number of permitted occupants and guidelines for modifications.

If you wish to add an additional occupant to your lease, you must first seek permission from Home in Place. Once that permission is granted, you are required to notify the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) about the addition of the new occupant. This notification ensures that the relevant authorities are informed about changes in household composition and can make adjustments accordingly in terms of any applicable subsidies or support. 

The Ministry of Social Development provides a service whereby you as a tenant can apply to have all or part of your benefit deducted and sent directly to an approved service provider, such as Home in Place, to automatically pay your rent, water or electricity bills.

Requests for a redirection are approved in special circumstances and for good reason. You’ll need to show the MSD why you can’t use other options, such as paying by direct debit or using your bank’s automatic payment service.

To find out more go to https://www.workandincome.govt.nz and search Redirection of Benefit Payment. 

We always recommend getting in touch with us when you first have arrears to avoid things getting out of hand. Please notify us if you will/have missed a rent payment and we can discuss options to get you up to date. Visit us at the office, or call 0800 124 663.  

Additionally, did you know that if you find yourself in rent or utilities arrears, WINZ can assist with a payment plan?

Give them a call to book an appointment, then get in touch with us to get a tenant statement or arrears notice to take to your appointment.