Citizen Advice Bureu - Monthly Comumn
The busy summer season is here! For Queenstown, that has always meant many new visitors coming to town to enjoy the long days and outdoor activities. Also, it means many workers looking for summer jobs and, with that, looking for accommodation too. Queenstown’s accommodation is stretched thin at the best of times, but it becomes especially pronounced during peak season. With the constant turnover and high demand, it is important to understand your rights as a renter or landlord. This can make renting in our beautiful town as smooth as possible and hopefully avoid any problems down the line!
When renting a room in Queenstown, you are either going to be considered a tenant, flatmate, or a boarder. A tenant rents a property from a landlord that does not live in the same property, and they have a written tenancy agreement signed by both tenant and landlord. As a tenant, you have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and both you and the landlord have rights and obligations to the property. A flatmate is not named on the agreement but still shares a house or apartment with others, and contributes to the rent, utilities, and chores. As a flatmate, you do not have rights and obligations to the property under the RTA. A boarder is some living in a property not qualifying as a tenant or flatmate. In Queenstown, this would generally be student accommodation or volunteer home stays. Boarders are also not covered by the RTA.
In all types of rental situations, it is best to have a written and signed agreement, so the renter and their landlord have evidence of what they have agreed to. This is especially helpful in resolving disputes that may arise in a renting situation. Most commonly, disputes could be from the overdue payments, reimbursement of bond money, or breaches of the renting agreement. If a dispute does arise, it is always best to speak with the landlord or tenant first to resolve it informally. If an agreement cannot be reached, both parties can enter mediation or reach an agreement in a Tribunal hearing.
This all may seem daunting, but CAB is available to discuss any questions you have about renting and to help you navigate the housing process in Queenstown. Come see us in the office, send us an email, or give us a phone call!
Happy summer and happy renting!