Renting a House in New Zealand: What You Need to Know Before You Move

When you first start looking at homes in New Zealand, it can be hard to figure out what’s actually included in the rent and what you’ll need to budget for separately. Many families moving from overseas find that the system here is different when compared with the UK, Europe, or North America.

Below, I’ve answered some of the most common questions people ask about renting, with insights from Tenancy Services and MoneyHub NZ, plus a few tips from my own experience helping families settle in.

1. What’s the usual minimum rental period?

In New Zealand, almost all new leases are fixed-term tenancies, usually for 12 months. Shorter terms (3 or 6 months) are possible, especially for furnished homes or when a landlord knows they’ll need the property back sooner (if they're going travelling, for example), but they’re less common.

Periodic tenancies (the rolling kind that continue until someone gives notice) are now rare for new rentals. They're much more common at the end of the initial fixed-term lease as they provide greater flexibility for landlord and tenant once that relationship is established.

If you’re moving from overseas, a 12-month fixed term offers stability and helps you avoid moving again too soon. There are also rules about how often rent can be reviewed or increased to protect renters.

Fixed-term vs periodic tenancies

Most renters will come across both terms at some point, so it helps to understand how they differ.

It’s worth clarifying all of this before signing your tenancy agreement so you can plan your monthly costs accurately.

Sources Tenancy Services – Utilities and Other Payments and Tenancy Services – Water and Wastewater Charges

4. How does insurance work for rentals?

Landlords are required to insure the building, while tenants should have contents insurance to protect their belongings and cover any liability if damage occurs.

Tenancy Services clearly states:
“Landlords should insure their rental property against any damage. Tenants should also have insurance for their belongings, and to protect them from liability.”

So, the landlord insures the building, while the tenant insures contents and personal liability.

From MoneyHub NZ (2025):

• Contents insurance protects against theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage.

• It also covers legal liability if you damage someone else’s property or the home you rent.

• Typical cost: NZ $400 – $600 per year for around $25,000 of cover (according to MoneyHub NZ).

It’s not mandatory, but it’s highly recommended.

5. What happens when your shipping container arrives?

Unlike some other overseas markets, most New Zealand rentals are unfurnished. You’ll usually get an oven and hob/cooktop, maybe a dishwasher, but not much else. You’ll usually need to provide everything else: fridge, washing machine, dryer, furniture, and smaller appliances.

When your container finally arrives, if you're already in your rental, deliveries can go straight in. This is often a big relief, and your own furniture turns the house into your home.

If it arrives before you’ve found a rental, your moving company can store it at a local depot for a small weekly fee.
In the meantime, you can:

• buy affordable second-hand furniture on Trade Me or Facebook Marketplace;

• rent furniture short-term from specialist companies in larger cities such as Mr Rental;

• check if your landlord or rental agent has furniture available to rent temporarily.

Key takeaways

• Expect 12-month leases to be the standard, with some shorter options.

• Rates (council tax) are paid by the landlord.

• Utilities like power, internet, and gas are paid by the tenant.

• Water varies by meter setup (clarify before signing).

• Landlords insure the property, tenants insure contents.

• Most homes are unfurnished, so plan for furniture and appliances.

Need help navigating the costs of renting a house in New Zealand?

As The Kiwi Flies helps families from the UK, US, Canada, Europe and beyond find exactly the right rental. We can find your home before you land in New Zealand, or we can work with you on arrival to guide you through the quirks of the Kiwi housing market.

We liaise with agents, support tenancy applications, and make sure you understand exactly what’s included in your rental.

Explore our Home Search Service or book a Guidance Call to get started.

Disclaimer: this article is not legal advice. Published November 2025 - information may subsequently change. All generalisations are exactly that - this article does not cover every individual scenario, landlord, or agent, but instead provides "usual" or "common" examples.

Source https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/starting-a-tenancy/types-of-tenancies/

When you view a property, it’s worth confirming what type of tenancy it is and what happens when it expires.
A fixed term gives peace of mind while you settle, while a periodic tenancy can suit you later if you want flexibility once you’ve found your feet.

You can see example lease templates here.

2. Who is responsible for paying rates in New Zealand?

New Zealand doesn’t have "council tax" in the exact way the UK does, but instead property owners pay a similar sort of charge called "council rates", which cover local services like water infrastructure, rubbish collection, and roads.

According to Tenancy Services, these are classed as “costs of owning the house.” That means the landlord pays them, not the tenant. Rates are built into the rent price, so you won’t ever receive a separate bill.

Landlords must also pay for:

• house insurance (not your personal contents);

• body corporate levies if the home is part of a unit title;

• hire charges for gas bottles (if they’re the main supply for hot water or cooking).

  
  

3. Do tenants pay utilities in New Zealand?

Yes, tenants usually pay for their own electricity, gas, internet, and phone services. The law separates ownership costs from living costs.

Tenants pay for:

• electricity and gas used;

• phone and internet services;

• water charges if the supplier charges by use.

  
  

Landlords pay for:

• any fixed water charges that apply whether occupied or not;

• hire fees for gas bottles (if used);

• shared utilities (such as if one water meter serves several flats).

  
  

Water works slightly differently. If a property has a separate water meter, the tenant pays for what they use. If it doesn’t, or if there’s a fixed charge that applies whether anyone lives there or not, the landlord covers that portion.

The water account stays in the landlord’s name. They pay the bill first, then ask the tenant to reimburse them for usage.

If gas bottles are used for heating or cooking, the landlord pays the hire fee and you pay for the gas itself.