General Flatting Information

The Massey University Students Association offers advice and assistance on student accommodation. However, if you are interested in Hostel accommodation on campus you must contact Residential Services by phoning the University on (06) 356-9099.

The Massey University Students Association offers advice and assistance on student accommodation. However, if you are interested in Hostel accommodation on campus you must contact Residential Services by phoning the University on (06) 356-9099.

The Student Association owns about 40 student houses and if you are interested in renting one of these houses (they are all 2-7 bedroom) please contact Knight Frank (NZ) Ltd (06) 357-3331 or write to Knight Frank(NZ) Ltd, 115 Princess Street, Palmerston North.

The average price of rental accommodation in Palmerston North is approximately $45-$60 per week per room and $100-$130 per week for boarding accommodation (full board).  It is basically up to you to secure accommodation, we can only service as an advice centre and assist with accommodation listings. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any problems.

A Fixed-term Tenancy means you must pay rent for the property you have rented for a period of time, usually twelve months.  MUSA advises students not to sign fixed-term tenancies.  Remember you have specific rights as a tenant - if in doubt, check with MUSA or the Housing Advice Centre.

THE FOLLOWING GENERAL INFORMATION WILL ASSIST STUDENTS IN DETERMINING THEIR ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

KEYS
You are entitled to at least one set of keys to your rental property which you must return before the expiry of your tenancy.  Failure to do so will mean that they are charged against your bond payment.  It is illegal for you as tenant or for your landlord to change locks without giving a key to the other party.

PARTIES IN FLATS
As a student tenant it is likely that you will want to hold your share of social events and parties.  No problems in this but make yourself familiar with clause 40(1)(c) & (d), 40(2)(a)& (c) and clause 41(2) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

REPAIRS
Don't carry out repairs or have repairs done without the prior written approval of your landlord.  If you do such repairs and incur costs your landlord may not necessarily accept them or reimburse you for them.

BOOKKEEPING
Bookkeeping and records of your tenancy are important documents.  Keep together all receipts for payments you have made, whether they are for bonds, rent or damages.

CORRESPONDENCE
Put all requests to your landlord in writing and if you make initial contact verbally, safe guard your position by following it up in writing.  Keep all copies of these correspondences.

AGREEMENT CHANGES
If there are to be changes to your agreement ensure that both copies, yours and your landlord's are changed in the same manner and make sure that both parties understand the changes and have signed them.

SECURITY
Make sure you have a lock and key supplied for your room and you personally insure any valuables you have in the flat.

MUSA
MUSA's Accommodation Service provides for the accommodation needs of student tenants and readily gives advice and assistance to students on tenancy issues.  The following are important points to note about your accommodation service.

LOCATION
All MUSA accommodation is off campus and is situated in the city.  It is mostly within easy cycling distance of the campus.  On-campus accommodation is managed by the University's Residential Service Office.

ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE
Advice and assistance covers flats, houses, boarding house accommodation, private board and a variety of shared accommodation arrangements.
MUSA offers advice and assistance to any student having problems with their accommodation.  You should make use of the knowledge and experience of the accommodation service.  If we can't help you, we will refer you to someone who can.

BOARDING FACILITIES
We operate a system of referrals for those seeking or offering private board.  This type of boarding arrangement can vary widely from one situation to another.  Some situations provide everything likely to be found in a family home, others may require students to provide their own linen and other household effects.  Some boarding charges, ie: those around $90 to $120 per week cover everything normally expected in a full boarding situation.  Others may charge a lesser amount but expect contribution towards power or other household expenses.  However you should not have to pay more than $120 to $130 per week for full board.  Your accommodation service keeps in close contact with private boarding trends, room rates and general details; seek their advice if in doubt.

We have regular contact with established Boarding House facilities throughout the city.  They provide short and long term accommodation and like private board, the actual facilities and meals provided vary from one to another.  These establishments can be useful as short term stay facilities close to the city while you find permanent long term accommodation.

HOUSES AND FLATS
Some houses/flats are directly controlled by MUSA.  Sometimes the whole flat or house is available for rental or specific vacancies have occurred for one or more flatmates in an already established flat.  These vacancies are recorded in a pamphlet available at the front desk of the Students' Association Office and are freely available to students in search of accommodation.

As in boarding, the services and standard of facilities vary widely and the prices paid for rent reflect these variations.  On average a student should allow for a room rate per week of $50 to $60, and a kitty contribution of around $50 per week to cover food, electricity and any other household expenses.  In most instances it is cheaper to share accommodation with a group of students than it is to pay the Massey Halls of Residence fees.

Many landlords in the city come to the Association seeking student tenants.  So if you have a need for accommodation contact the MUSA Office and pick up the latest list.  If you have a vacancy to fill contact our Receptionists in the Student Centre (phone 06 350 4500) and have your details included on the Accommodation Guide.

TENANCY AGREEMENTS
If you are asked to sign a rental or tenancy agreement, have it checked before signing.  You must have a written tenancy agreement and all parties must sign it. You need to be aware of your rights and your responsibilities as a tenant.  Even the legal definition of a 'tenant' may come as a surprise to many.
As a tenant, and certainly before you sign any documentation or Agreement, you should familiarise yourself with the very different responsibilities of a 'Fixed Term' tenancy as opposed to a 'periodic tenancy'.  You must understand the implications of both before you sign yourself into something that later may cause you serious difficulties and substantial costs.  ' Fixed Term' tenancies mean that if you sign such an agreement you accept the responsibilities until the expiry date of the agreement.   You cannot give 21 days notice to release yourself from the agreement.  For 'Periodic Tenancies' you must give 21 days notice.  The landlord must give you 90 days if you are to be evicted.
Try not to sign a tenancy agreement individually: always check if you can sign as part of a joint agreement with your flatmates.  This way you will all be collectively liable for the conditions under the contract.  This will protect you if you are ever left 'carrying the can'.

BONDS
Bonds cannot be greater than four week's rent.  An increase in rent may lead to an adjustment in bond.  The bond is held by the 'The Department of Building and Housing'.  Bonds can be transferred from one tenant to another but our advice is that you claim your bond back from your current tenancy and commence your new tenancy with a new bond payment.  Also note that it is advisable to keep your bond advice notice as it has your bond number on it.

Check out the new www.flatting101.co.nz website for students and first time renters.