GENERAL FLATTING Q&A’s

We asked our followers on Instagram what they wanted to know about finding a flat, and here are some answers. Take them with a grain of salt: they’re just my jaded personal opinions. But, as someone who’s been flatting in Wellington for over six years and has lived in many different flats, I reckon I’ve got an okay grasp on these things.

I’ve lived in brand-new buildings in Newtown, and in falling-apart Thompson Street flats with ant-infested, rotting decks and landlords so bad the tradies didn’t want to work for them. I’ve lived with friends, strangers, partners, moved with a couple of days’ notice, and with months of notice. Finding a flat has taken me months; it has also taken 48 hours from booking the viewing to signing the paperwork. I’ve done hour-long viewings, and I’ve moved into places I’d only seen through a 10-minute Facebook Messenger call—which, funnily enough, ended up being the best flat I’ve ever lived in.

Essentially, I have lived and I have learned. Maybe I can pass a little bit of that advice on to you.

How do you find a  flat?	First, figure out whether you already have a group and want to take over an empty flat, or whether you’re looking to move into an existing flat by yourself. Either way, Trade Me and Facebook are the best places to search. Facebook groups include Vic Deals, Flats & Flatmates—Wellington, Flats and Rooms for Rent Wellington NZ, Flatmates Wanted in Wellington, and many more. Search “flats Wellington” on Facebook and join as many groups as you can. You can also use the renting section of Trade Me. From there, DM people on Facebook, or email/text listers on Trade Me, and arrange viewings. Once you have a viewing booked, turn up looking put together. Business casual is a safe bet. Bring a flatting CV with information about you and your flatmates, especially if you’re applying to take over a whole place. After the viewing, if you like the place and feel like you got along with the flatmates—or whoever showed you around, whether that’s a landlord or property manager—send a message saying you enjoyed meeting them and are interested in the room. Then wait for them to get back to you. If you’re applying for a flat takeover managed by a property management company, they’ll often ask you to fill out an online application. Do that in a timely manner. Finally: don’t get your heart set on one place. It often takes a while to find the right spot. Be nice, ask questions at viewings, and good luck.
Is it better to flat with friends you meet in first year or with randos?	Honestly, this is totally dependent on the people. My potentially controversial advice is to flat with friends in your first year. You’re all figuring it out together, and it’s more comfortable to go through the process with people you know. However, this can also lead to drama while you all figure out how to go from having your own space in the halls to living together in a flat. If you’re not feeling super confident in your first-year connections, it’s okay to go solo. It can be easier—and less daunting—to move into an existing flat where the utilities, furniture, and other pesky stuff are already sorted. No matter who you’re flatting with, my best advice is to set boundaries early. Don’t be scared to have conversations like, “Hey, can you please clean up after you make food in the kitchen?” Early conversations make a world of difference in the long run.
What’s a reasonable price for rent?	It depends on the area. According to MyRent, the median weekly rent for Wellington is $650. At the time of writing, MyRent lists median weekly rents at $470 for a one-bedroom property, $620 for two bedrooms, $750 for three bedrooms, and $900 for four bedrooms. If you’re living in the city, convenience costs more. I’d estimate somewhere around $230–$260 per week for a room in a three-plus-bedroom flat. If you go further out to suburbs like Roseneath, Newtown, Karori, or Berhampore, rent may be cheaper, but other expenses—like transport—can go up. Room size is also a factor. Some flats stagger rent depending on room size: the smaller the room, the cheaper the rent. But anything under $200 will, in many cases, have you living in a dark shoebox. On the other end, upwards of $300 can get you options like ensuites or walk-in wardrobes, depending on the flat.
What’s a good way to divide up cooking? Are people generally in charge of their own meals?	This totally depends on the flat. Some people do all their cooking on their own. I did this in every flat I lived in while single: everyone had their own grocery budget and their own fridge space. When I’ve lived with partners, we’ve split the shopping and split the cooking. Sometimes one person pays more for food and the other cooks more often. It’s all about communication. I also know people who do communal cooking: flats that assign a cooking roster, do a group shop once a week, and split the cost. There’s no single correct way to do it. It depends on what you want and who you’re flatting with. But you should absolutely talk about it with potential future flatmates before committing to a place together.
Good personality traits for flatmates?	It depends who you are, but you generally want people who are honest and dependable. Honest, because you’ll be sharing a living space with them. Dependable, because you want people who will pay rent on time, do the chores, and split cleaning fairly. A good flatmate doesn’t have to be your best friend. They do have to be someone you can communicate with without everything turning into World War III.
What red flags should I look out for with potential landlords?	Be careful if: They pressure you to sign a lease before you’ve viewed the property. The photos in the listing don’t match the flat you view. They contact you constantly, or seem like they want to be on the property all the time. The flat is poorly maintained—for example, it’s still dirty from previous tenants, full of junk, or has obvious damage. They don’t provide a clear tenancy agreement for you to read before signing. They don’t mention bond lodgement. In New Zealand, if a tenant pays bond to a landlord, the landlord must lodge it with Tenancy Services within 23 working days. They offer you the flat immediately without asking any questions. Sometimes that means they’re desperate for a reason. Trust your gut at viewings. If something feels rushed, vague, or off, slow down and ask more questions.
Which are the worst rental companies?	A good place to start is by looking up the rental company on Reddit or local flatting groups. I know, lame—but Google is increasingly full of AI summaries and generic reviews, while niche New Zealand subreddits and Facebook groups can give you a better sense of people’s actual experiences. Rental companies that often come up in complaints include Quinovic and Oxygen, but that’s anecdotal. Take those stories seriously, but also remember that experiences can vary by branch, property manager, and landlord. Private landlords can also be a mixed bag. Some are excellent and fix issues quickly. Others are slow, dismissive, or try to pass costs onto tenants unfairly. Try to get a vibe from the viewing: Are they responsive? Do they answer questions directly? Does the property look maintained? Personal recommendation: Joyce from Personal Property Management manages a lot of Kelburn and Aro Valley flats and I’ve had really great experiences with her.
When does pre-existing (as in there before I was) mould tip into being the landlord's problem?	Rental homes should be free from mould and dampness before being rented out. During a tenancy, tenants also have responsibilities, such as keeping the home well aired and removing small amounts of mould straight away. Tenancy Services recommends noting signs of mould or damp during the initial property inspection and raising concerns with the landlord before the tenancy starts. The best thing to do is document it as soon as you see it—ideally on move-in day. Take photos, email them to the landlord or property manager, and make sure there’s a written record. Always email your landlord first and give them a chance to help fix the issue. If they’re not helpful, you may be able to issue a 14-day notice to remedy. If the issue still isn’t sorted, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal. Tenancy Services says a 14-day notice gives the other party 14 calendar days to fix the breach, and if it is not fixed, the issue can be taken further. Before escalating, it’s a good idea to contact Tenancy Services on 0800 836 262 or book an appointment with a VUWSA advocate. They’ll be able to give advice tailored to your situation. Basically: if mould is interfering with your right to a dry, clean, healthy home, it’s worth escalating. But if the mould was visible before you moved in and you accepted the place anyway, it may be harder to argue later—which is why documenting everything early matters.
Is there anywhere in Wellington that doesn't have mold?	Yes, but you may not find it on the first try. When viewing, inspect the place properly. Look for damp spots, dark corners, condensation, water damage, and signs that walls have recently been scrubbed or painted over. If the flat smells strongly of bleach, be wary. Mould can also hide in walls, wardrobes, curtains, and behind furniture. Cold, dark areas are more likely to have issues. Flats with good sunlight, airflow, heating, insulation, and ventilation are usually safer bets. Pay attention to location, light, and how much sun the rooms actually get. In six years of flatting after halls, I’ve lived in eight flats. Only two had serious mould issues: one had mould in the walls and got almost no light; another had a mouldy, rotting, ant-infested deck that wasn’t maintained. If you do get some mould, welcome to Wellington’s old, single-glazed housing stock. A dehumidifier can help, and places like Kmart, The Warehouse, Bunnings, and Mitre 10 sell DampRid and other moisture absorbers. And for the love of God: if you’re in a dark or damp flat, open the windows when you shower. Don’t let the moisture sit.
How does it even work? When should we start applying for halls for next year?	Halls and flats are two different things. If you’re looking to move from a first-year hall into a second- or third-year hall, check the university’s website or talk to the accommodation office directly. They’ll have the most accurate deadlines and application process. If you’re flatting, start looking a couple of months before you need to move out of halls. You should definitely be actively applying at least a month before move-out. You may end up having to pay double rent for a couple of weeks, but that can be better than being left with nowhere to live, having to split up from your friends, or being forced into a random single room because you left it too late. If you’re worried about timing, talk to your RA early.
Top things to avoid/look for?	Avoid flats that feel rushed, vague, or weirdly desperate. If someone is pressuring you to sign immediately, dodging basic questions, or acting like you’re annoying for wanting normal information, that’s not a great sign. Look for sunlight, airflow, heating, decent water pressure, and signs the place has actually been looked after. Open cupboards, check corners, look around windows, and don’t be embarrassed about testing things. You’re potentially paying hundreds of dollars a week to live there. You’re allowed to see whether the shower works. Avoid obvious mould, damp smells, peeling paint, soft floors, broken windows, too many mystery stains. A bit of Wellington character is one thing. A bedroom that feels like a cave and smells like wet carpet is another. Also pay attention to the people. Do the flatmates seem relaxed? Do they answer questions honestly? Does the chore system sound real, or does everyone just “kind of clean when they can,” which usually means one person rage-cleans the kitchen every few weeks? Ask about bills, internet, parking, bond, notice periods, guests, parties, heating, rubbish, and shared costs. It feels awkward, but it’s better than finding out two weeks in that the power bill is enormous and nobody has bought toilet paper since move in.
How do I not hate my friends I flat with?	Accept that your friends will be different as flatmates than they are as friends. Someone can be great fun at a party and still be terrible at dishes. Someone can be lovely one-on-one and still never buy toilet paper. Flatting reveals habits you would never otherwise see. The serious answer: talk about expectations before you move in. Discuss cleaning, bills, guests, parties, quiet time, shared food, and what happens if someone’s partner starts staying over constantly. The less serious answer, from Jim: “Play devil’s advocate with yourself and pretend they’re good flatmates. Pretend they’re fictional characters—that way everything they do is fun and not annoying.” Honestly, both approaches may be necessary.
How should the purchasing of stuff for the flat be divided, plates etc	In my experience, the person with the most disposable income often ends up buying a lot of it—usually with the agreement that because they bought it, they get to keep it when they leave. You can also make a flat mission out of op shopping. It’s cheaper, more fun, and you can find surprisingly good stuff. Just be clear about who owns what, especially if someone buys something they particularly like. There’s no perfect system. Communicate with the people you’re moving in with and work out what suits everyone. It’s a good idea for each person to own at least a couple of plates, bowls, mugs, and sets of cutlery, so there are no surprise issues later. You do not need five toasters in one flat. Have a chat before everyone’s parents start donating appliances. In second-year, relatives often give flatting gear as Christmas presents, so it may shake out naturally that someone owns a toaster, someone else owns an air fryer, and someone else brings pots and pans. Maybe ask for a decent set of pots and pans for Christmas?

WHAT THEY WISH THEY KNEW

I wish I knew landlords don’t always care about tenants' wellbeing. 

If you can fork the cash, moving companies are worth it, if not, cityhop vans and a crew make it manageable. 

Take photos before moving things in. It takes a whole day to clean after moving out. 

I wish I had thoroughly read tenancy law, know your rights!