Edit Guide
AccommodationAccommodation:
Without a doubt, one of the biggest components of the student experience is where you live. You'll form memories that will last the rest of your life. Each of the different types of accommodation we are going to look at has its own unique theme and some will appeal more than others.
As international students, advice and help regarding applications for the Halls of Residence will also be given if your application to study at the university is approved. Usually, you will choose two or three different halls so that if you miss out on your first choice you have a fall back option.
1. Hall of Residence
Many first year students prefer to live at a Hall of Residence (or Residential College). These are usually owned by the university and there are several to choose from, including some within the campus area itself. However, of all the options, this is generally the most expensive.
Halls and colleges are the most communal of the options having its own unique identity and its own social and recreational activities.
As part of this community, you'll get your own furnished room complete with electricity and internet . Laundry services are also available in communal laundry rooms. Showers and toilets are being shared too. Breakfast and dinner are served in a communal dining hall but there is a bit of variation with lunches; sometimes they are provided and sometimes it is assumed you'll organise your own lunch while you are at university.
The International Office will provide more guidance on this option as part of the enrolment process but for now you can have a look at these resources to see which of the halls interest you.
2. "Flatting"
All around the campus area and throughout the city are good flats and houses available for rent. Many are owned by the university but the majority are privately owned. Most of the newer ones are fully insulated and have a heat pump.
Flatting is less common for first-year students, particularly those not native to Dunedin. To be able to go flatting, you have to:
Many international students prefer renting flats around the edge of the campus area so that they don't have to worry about transport. Some of the best flats are literally across the road from campus! They tend to be very expensive but the convenience is worth it for those who can justify the expense.
Most leases in Dunedin are for a 12 month period. This means that even if you finish your exams in mid-October, you are still responsible for paying rent until the end of the lease, often 31 st December. Most leases don't allow pets and many don't have off-street parking or garages. If you are planning on buying a nice car, consider whether you are happy for it to be parked on the street.
All rental properties are inspected regularly, either by the landlord or a property inspector so you'll need to keep them in tidy, clean condition at all times.
The best time to look for flats is the year before you intend to go flatting because most students tend to resign leases long before the year has even finished. You'll start seeing "Taken" notices appearing in windows from as early as September!
Typically, your share of the rent will be somewhere from NZ$130 to NZ$180 per week. A good average to aim for is about $150 for the room. With about NZ$20 to NZ$30 shared costs per week for electricity, internet , and cleaning supplies
If you are moving into an existing flat which is already set up, the shared costs are usually factored into the weekly rent to make it easier.
3. Studio apartments
Studio apartments are self-contained single-room apartments which include an adjacent bathroom. Some also provide very basic cooking facilities. Electricity and wifi internet are included in the weekly rent. Usually, the building offers communal washing machines and shared kitchen facilities. Rent for a studio apartment starts from NZ$250 per week so it is more expensive than flatting. This option is popular with couples or those who prefer privacy over socialising.
Regardless of whether you are signing up for a studio apartment or a six bedroom house, you'll be required to complete a credit check and pay a once-only deposit at the time you sign the lease. The deposit consists of a bond and up to three weeks of rent in advance where this is usually divided between the tenants who sign the lease. The "bond" is kept by a government department and held in trust. At the end of the lease, if you leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in, the bond money is returned to you.
And to give you an idea of listings through professional real estate agencies and property managers have a look at these links:
4. Hotels & Motels
Despite New Zealand having a well-developed tourism industry and plenty of places to stay when you are travelling, one thing it does not have is cheap accommodation. Staying in hotels and motels is more expensive than in many other countries. In order to find good prices, you need to spend some time researching the area you are staying at and planning well in advance.
An alternative that often works out cheaper is to simply rent a holiday home as the set price for the premises can be shared with others in your travelling group. Over the last few years, many websites supporting searches for holiday homes have appeared. If you decide to search online, also try the words "bach" and "crib" in your queries because these are commonly used names for holiday homes in New Zealand.
5. Private Board
Many international students prefer to live with a private family. In fact, there are many hosts who specialise in caring for students from other countries. Again, the cost tends to be higher than flatting but as with a hall of residence, most of the stresses of daily life are taken care of for you. For private board you can expect to pay between NZ$200 and NZ$280 per week.
Instead of renting a room in a college and living alongside lots of other students, you are essentially renting a room in a private house. It's typically much quieter because it is less communal and there are less distractions. Sometimes there will be more than one international student staying with the host family.
If you choose this option, be sure to learn as much as you can about the host family. While not communal, it might be too intimate for someone who is not used to being around strangers. If you are open-minded and have a good host, chances are you will enjoy the environment and be able to focus on your study.
The Accommodation Office (listed above) is the best place to enquire about this option. Hosts offering places to international students are already likely to be registered with the office. In many cases, they will be recognised as reliable because of their history in hosting students. The office can also give you an idea of what cost "reasonable" board currently is.
6. Backpackers & Camping
For those on a budget, staying at a backpackers or hostel is a popular choice. It means shared accommodation and facilities but also gives a social aspect that you won't get with the other options. For this reason staying at a backpackers is one of the first choices for young people.
The final option is staying in a camping ground. This used to be a tradition in New Zealand. In past decades, it was common for families to own a caravan, which they would tow behind their car until they reached the destination camping ground. These days, caravans are not so common but camping grounds have reinvented themselves to appeal to newer generations of New Zealanders. Most camping grounds now allow you to rent small cabins, sometimes with en suite bathrooms and a small kitchen area.
Camping grounds also provide places for you to pitch a tent. Tents can be bought very cheaply these days from stores like The Warehouse. Do note that New Zealand is an island and weather can be unpredictable. In many parts of the country, particularly the South, it can snow even in the middle of summer. If you decide to experience camping, make sure you have a good sleeping bag capable of withstanding temperatures approaching freezing and to take plenty of warm clothes.
A final point to make about the camping option is that many local councils are passing strict by-laws to prevent or restrict "freedom campers". These are people who just set their tent up on any public land (usually rest stops and city parks). The problem with this is that unless there are public toilets, you'll be contributing to environmental pollution. It is a much better idea to only camp where it is permitted. Most towns have an information or visitors' centres so do call them as part of your trip planning.
