Housing for the Elderly

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Housing for the Elderly

We have 156 community units throughout the district for age beneficiaries or people in comparable circumstances or with comparable incomes. You must have under $24,000 worth of assets and be a New Zealand citizen, or be permitted to reside in New Zealand permanently, to apply.

How to apply for a flat

Complete the application form and obtain two written character references. The referees must have known you for at least 12 months and be unrelated to you. The letters of reference must be accompanied by the referees' names, addresses and contact telephone numbers and not be more than 12 months old.
If you will have difficulty providing references or need help to complete the application form please let us know.

Housing for the elderly application form (Two pages 75KB PDF)

If your application is successful, your name will be placed on a waiting list.

When a unit is vacated it is offered to the next applicant on the list for whom it would be suitable. The applicant usually has two days to decide whether to accept. If you refuse a unit, you do not drop to the bottom of the waiting list. However, please tell us why the unit is unsuitable so that we can make a more suitable choice the next time.

Note: We reserve the right to request any applicant to support their application with written reports from personal health or social services professionals. These requests are limited to those occasions where council staff have concerns about a prospective tenant's ability to live successfully in the unique community housing environment.

What happens if I live outside New Plymouth?

If you live outside New Plymouth city, you can post your application so that your name can be placed on the waiting list. A relative or friend can take a preliminary look at any unit allocated to you to save you travelling to look at units (make sure you add their contact details to your application form). However, we do not expect you to make a final decision before seeing the unit yourself.
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What happens when I get a flat?

When you accept a unit, you must sign a tenancy agreement and pay a bond.
Please note that:

Only the person or people named in the agreement may permanently live in the unit.
Dogs are not allowed.
You may keep a cat, bird or fish. Only one cat may be kept. It must be spayed or neutered.
The tenants must show a sense of community responsibility and respect each other's privacy.

Tenancy agreement sample (Four pages 36KB PDF)

Bond

At the start of your tenancy you will be asked to pay a bond of $150 for bedsits and single units and $200 for a double unit.

It will be refunded in full at the end of the tenancy provided that the unit is left clean, tidy and undamaged and the rent is paid in full to the date of termination. Work and Income may assist you to pay the bond.

Rent

Rent is paid weekly or fortnightly, in advance. You will be asked to pay two weeks rent in advance when you begin your tenancy, and then (by automatic payment) every week or fortnight from that time.

If it will be difficult for you to meet these rent payments contact Work and Income to see if you qualify for an accommodation supplement. The supplement is income and asset tested and generally available to people whose rent exceeds 25% of their net income.

Other housing options

If you find that community housing does not suit your needs, you may wish to consider:

Housing New Zealand. You can find them Corner Gover and Devon streets, New Plymouth or phone 06-757 5751 to make an appointment with a case manager to find out about the flats and houses they have for rent.

Newspapers. Check the "To Let" columns in The Taranaki Daily News and community newspapers. The best days to look are usually Wednesday and Saturday. Alternatively, place an advertisement yourself. Briefly describe the type of place you would like to rent and provide a contact telephone number.

Community noticeboards. Check for advertisements in shop windows or at clubs you attend, or put up your own.

Real Estate Agents. Many Real Estate agents are also letting agencies. They usually charge a fee equal to a week's rent for signing you up for a tenancy.

More information

Our housing is managed by the Community Development Centre’s Client Service Officer. The Community Development Centre is situated on the ground floor of the Top Town Complex.

Housing for the Elderly