Renters United is focused on changing laws to make renting better for everyone. We don’t provide support with particular renting situations. However, others do – for help with your own renting or living situation here are some places you can turn to for support:
Advocacy services are available throughout Aotearoa. The below services can give you advice specific to your rental situation, and when required help you through your renting situation.
If you need some advice or help bringing a case to the tribunal these are the best places to start.
Auckland
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Auckland Community Law Centre
Tenants Protection Association Auckland
Taitokerau Community Law – Whangarei
http://communitylaw.org.nz/centre/taitokerau/
Wellington
Nationwide
Bay of Plenty
Canterbury
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Anglican Advocacy
https://www.anglicanadvocacy.org.nz
researcher@anglicanadvocacy.org.nz
Community Law Canterbury
Gisborne
Hawkes Bay
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Hawkes Bay Community Law Centre
http://www.communitylaw.org.nz/centre/hawkes-bay/
Tairawhiti Community Law Centre
Manawatu / Wanganui
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Manawatu Tenants Union
Manawatu Community Law Centre
Malborough
Nelson Bays
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Nelson Bays Community Law Service
Northland
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Taitokerau Community Law – Whangarei
http://communitylaw.org.nz/centre/taitokerau/
Otago
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Community Law Otago
Southland
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Southland Community Law Centre
Taranaki
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Taranaki Community Law Trust – New Plymouth
Waikato
West Coast
Citizens Advice Bureau
https://www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
Community Law Canterbury – Greymouth clinic
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your rental situation please reach out for help. Below are a range of services that can provide you with some support.
If you are in an emergency please call 111
Mental Wellbeing
Lifeline is available 24/7 to provide free confidential support from qualified counsellors and trained volunteers. You can call 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354) or Text ‘Help’ to 4357
1737 is available 24/7 to provide free support from trained counsellors or peer support workers. Text or call 1737
The Ministry of Health also has some wellbeing tips to help you get through. You can find them here on their website
Help with food?
You can find a foodbank in your local area here
Help with finances?
MoneyTalks has a tool that connects you with financial mentors from over 300 locations across the country. They provide advice to anyone who is struggling with debt, low incomes, or who wants to plan for the future.
Find a financial mentor here or talk to a mentor now over the phone or online chat
Help with employment issues?
If you need help dealing with issues between you and your employer you can contact the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions using their website or calling them directly on 04 385 1334
Make your home healthy (Wellington Region)
Sustainability Trust has several free services for those living in the Wellington region to improve the health of their rental homes.
Behaviour based Wellington Home Energy Saver Assessment (WHESP)
If you are a renter in Wellington, a qualified home energy assessor will come to the rental property and take a look at things tenants can do to improve the health of their home and help to maintain a healthy home with lower energy bills. Following the home visit, the tenant will receive a report outlining the findings and recommended actions. Book here
Warm Fuzzies Home Assessment
If you are a renter living in the Wellington region and have a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo Card, or has high energy bills that are hard to stay on top of, or has children under the age of 14 living there, this service is available. A healthy homes advisor will come to the property, undertake an assessment and will provide advice (and sometimes on-the-spot installs) to improve the health of your home. They also help link the tenant to additional support that they might not be aware of. Book here
Wellington Curtain Bank
Through the Wellington Curtain Bank, Wellington renters with a Community Services Card, SuperGold Combo Card or renters in homes in an area identified as deprivation 8 to 10 zone can get free curtains. The curtains are made from upcycled fabric and adjusted to fit your home. This reopens in 2022, get notified when it reopens here
If you want to spend some time looking into the rights you have as a renter then these are some good places to start. Knowing your rights can not only help you with your own renting or living situation, but you can help others too!
Tenancy Services is the Government maintained website and service for tenants, landlords and property managers. You can read about your rights on their website or give them a call on 0800 836 262
Aratohu is a website developed and maintained by CAB and the Tenant Advocates Network (TAN). It’s the place to visit for support and guidance for tenants and their advocates.
If you’re helping someone and want some guidance check out the Aratohu website
The Tenancy and Housing Manual was created by Community Law to help you understand your housing and renting rights.