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Boarding houses: Renting a room

Ending a boarding house tenancy

How much notice do I have to give when I move out?

Residential Tenancies Act 1986, s 66V

You can end your boarding house tenancy by giving 48 hours’ notice. It’s a good idea to do this in writing, so you’ve got evidence of when exactly you let the landlord know. You don’t have to give any reasons.

Note: If there’s an end date written into a boarding house tenancy agreement, some landlords will argue that the tenant has to stay and pay rent until that end date. The law isn’t absolutely clear on this, so consider getting more advice from 0800 TENANCY or from a Community Law Centre.

How much notice does a boarding house landlord have to give?

Residential Tenancies Act 1986, ss 66U, 66X

Your boarding house landlord can usually end the tenancy by giving you four weeks’ notice (28 days), without giving any reasons. This has to be in writing.

But legally they can give you just two days’ notice (48 hours) if you still owe rent 10 days after you got a written overdue rent notice from the landlord. They can also give you just two days’ notice (48 hours) if you’ve used your room for something illegal.

They can end the tenancy immediately if you’ve caused or threatened serious damage or serious disruption to the other tenants, or if you’re a danger to people or property.

If you’ve been given less than the usual four weeks’ notice and you don’t think this is justified, you can complain to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Next Section | Problems with your landlord: What you can do

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Tenancy and housing

Where to go for more support

Community Law

Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice.

Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres

Tenancy Services – Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

MBIE’s Tenancy Services section provides information to tenants and to landlords. It also provides dispute-resolution services. Free translation services are available.

Website: www.tenancy.govt.nz
Tenancy advice: 0800 83 62 62 (0800 TENANCY).
Bond enquiries: 0800 737 666.

Ministry of Social Development – Work and Income (WINZ)

Work and Income assess eligibility for social housing provided by Kāinga Ora and other registered community housing providers. WINZ also calculates income-related rent for social housing and conducts tenancy reviews.

Website: www.workandincome.govt.nz/housing/index.html
Phone: 0800 559 009
No where to stay: www.workandincome.govt.nz/housing/nowhere-to-stay/index.html
Who can get public housing: www.workandincome.govt.nz/housing/find-a-house/who-can-get-public-housing.html
Apply for public housing: www.workandincome.govt.nz/housing/find-a-house/apply-for-public-housing.html

Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand)

Kāinga Ora manages New Zealand’s public housing and places people in public homes.  Kāinga Ora’s website provides information for existing and prospective tenants.

Website: www.kaingaora.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 801 601
Office locations: kaingaora.govt.nz/our-locations
When to contact Kāinga Ora vs Work and Income resource: kaingaora.govt.nz/tenants-and-communities/renting-a-home

Note: to apply for a Kāinga Ora home, you need to contact Work and Income – “Ministry of Social Development – Work and Income (WINZ)” above.

Tenancy Tribunal

The Tenancy Tribunal can help you if you have an issue with a tenant or landlord that you can’t solve yourself. The Tribunal will hear both sides of the argument and can issue an order that is legally binding.

Information on how to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal: www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/Tribunal/making-an-application

Aratohu Tenant Advocacy

The Aratohu Tenant Advocacy is a comprehensive online resource that provides support and guidance to tenants and their advocates.

Website: tenant.aratohu.nz
Email: admin@cab.org.nz

Tenants Protection Association Auckland (TPA)

The Tenants Protection Association provides advocacy and support to renters in Auckland.

Website: tpaauckland.org.nz
Phone: 09 360 1473

Manawatū Tenants’ Union

The Manawatū Tenants’ Union provides advocacy and support to renters in the Manawatū region.

Website: www.mtu.org.nz
Email: info@mtu.org.nz
Phone: 06 357 7435

Renters United

Renters United is an organisation for renters in Wellington. They focus on organising renters and campaigning to make renting better for everyone.

Website: rentersunited.org.nz
Online contact form: rentersunited.org.nz/contact
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fairrentnow
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rentersunitednz

Community Housing Regulatory Authority

The Community Housing Regulatory Authority registers and regulates community housing providers.

Website: chra.hud.govt.nz
Email: CHRA@hud.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 141 411

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

CAB provides free, confidential and independent information and advice.  See CAB’s website for valuable information on a range of topics.

Website: www.cab.org.nz
Phone: 0800 367 222
Facebook: www.facebook.com/citizensadvicenz

Find your local CAB office: www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab

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