APPLICANT INFORMATION FOR TENANCY OF A COUNCIL HOUSING UNIT FOR THE ELDERLY

Hurunui District Council Housing units are located in the following areas:

5 Church Street, Amberley (9 units)

5 Pound Street, Amberley (3 units)

35 Princes Street, Waikari (5 units)

53 Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs (4 units)

16 Buckley Street, Cheviot (5 units)

4 Seddon Street, Cheviot (4 units)

5 Rolleston Street, Cheviot (4 units)

Criteria for Tenancy:

When Hurunui District Council staff members are seeking tenants for social housing, applicants will be assessed using the following priorities, in this order:

PRIORITY ONE:

  1. That the units be let:
  • To persons being 65 years of age or over, or
  • To any adult residents who have been established on an Invalid’s Benefit for at least 18 months and, due to their personal circumstances, may be unable to afford housing at market rates, or are unable to easily access rental housing in their own right e.g. mobility issues; mental health issues; disability issues
  1. In addition to a) above, all such persons shall:
  • Have a housing need, and
  • Have lived and worked in the district or have family who live in the district, and
  • Have total assets, including cash, investments and house property that do not exceed $25,000 for a single person or $30,000 for couples

PRIORITY TWO:

To persons over the age of 60 years who otherwise meet the above criteria

PRIORITY THREE:

To persons over the age of 60 years with assets in excess of the amount stipulated above

PRIORITY FOUR:

To persons of any age, when all reasonable efforts to secure tenants who meet the above criteria have not been secured. In this instance, tenants shall be placed on a three month fixed term tenancy and made aware that when a new tenant who does meet the criteria is identified, they will be given 45 days’ written notice to vacate (refer above).

Application forms

Applications must be completed by the applicant and signatures witnessed before a JP or solicitor of the High Court before the form is returned to the Property Administration Officer. The application will be assess against the above criteria to determine eligibility. If your application is accepted, you will be informed in writing and of your priority in terms of the Councils letting criteria and your details will be placed on the waiting list for a unit in your preferred area.

Please note: That applicant and tenant information collected and held by the Hurunui District Council in respect of potential and existing tenants shall:

  • Be held securely, in a locked safe or filling cabinet.
  • Only be accessed by authorised staff members.
  • Only be used for the purpose for which it was collected.
  • Be made available to the person to whom it related, upon request and, where requested shall be changed if the information held is incorrect.

Tenancy agreements

Tenants are required to enter into the Residential Tenancy Agreements set out under the Residential Tenancies Act, and will be subject to the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act.

Rental & bonds

At the start of a tenancy the Hurunui District Council requires two week rent in advance plus a bond payment of equivalent of two weeks rental. The bond payment will be held with Tenancy Services (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) until the end of the tenancy, and will be refunded provided that Council is satisfied that the unit is left in a clean and tidy condition and sustained no damage.

The rental is subject to annual review and any increases will be notified in accordance with the annual plan / fees and charges consultative procedure, each tenants will be notified individually giving opportunity to make a submission to the annual plan. Rental increases will take effect from the 1st July each year. The current rentals are attached at the end of this information sheet.

Pets

No dogs will be permitted to be kept as pets by any tenant. Cats, caged birds and other domestic pets may be allowed subject to specific approval being sought and given by the Council. Tenants may be permitted to keep one cat on the following terms and conditions:

  1. A $50 pet bond to be paid to Council.
  2. The cat must be neutered or spayed and evidence of this provided.
  3. The cat must always wear a flea collar and bell.
  4. Any damage to the unit caused by the cat must be repaired by the tenant. If not repaired, the cost of the work will deducted from the pet bond, and from their tenancy bond, if necessary.
  5. In the event of the tenant no longer being able to care for the cat him / himself, that tenant shall make suitable alternative arrangements for the on-going care of the cat.
  6. The pet bond will be refunded to the tenant at the end of the tenancy, provided the unit has sustained no pet-related damage.

Smoke free

Smoking is not permitted inside any Council social housing unit, but is permitted outside the unit, including verandas, balconies or decks.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE COMPLETING THIS FORM, PLEASE ASK OUR STAFF – WE’RE HERE TO HELP.