Different types of support are available through Work and Income for people who are renting privately or moving out of social housing. With some of these payments (called “housing support products”), you’ll have to pay Work and Income back over time, while with others you don’t have to pay any money back. The rules about who qualifies for these payments vary.
The assistance that’s available includes the following:
Bond grant – You can apply for a bond grant of up to four weeks’ rent (up to a maximum of $2,000). If you’re given the grant, you don’t have to pay it back.
Help with letting fees – In some cases, when you’re moving into a private rental property Work and Income can pay any letting fee charged by a rental agency. You’ll have to pay it back. You don’t have to be getting other help from Work and Income to get this payment.
Moving assistance – In some cases, Work and Income will pay up to $1,500 towards moving costs like truck hire, petrol, or hiring a removal company. You’ll have to pay the money back.
Tenancy costs – In some cases, Work and Income can agree (at the start of your private tenancy) to cover any costs that you may owe your landlord at the end of the tenancy, such as rent arrears or costs for damage. This can cover up to the equivalent of four weeks’ rent. You’ll have to pay Work and Income back.
Transition to Alternative Housing grant – In some cases, Work and Income will pay you $3,000 if you’re eligible for Housing New Zealand housing but you give up your Housing NZ tenancy and agree to rent from a private landlord. You won’t have to pay this grant back.
For more information, go to www.msd.govt.nz – search for “Housing support products”. For information about social housing available from Kāinga Ora (Housing New Zealand) and community organisations, see “Social housing: Tenants in state and community housing” in the “Tenancy and housing” chapter.