Finding your physical home

Introduction

This chapter is helpful if you are looking for a physical home to rent or buy. Thinking about what a home needs to have to meet your objectives (and challenging some of your assumptions) will help you to move along this journey.

The housing market in Aotearoa New Zealand is short on supply, which can present a challenge when looking for an ideal new home. This is particularly the case when your priorities include affordability, location, community, accessibility or your long-term needs.

One of the first challenges you will face in finding a new place to live will be balancing your dreams with your reality. Make sure you are focusing your time and energy on what is most important by regularly going back to your vision in Exploring your 'good life' (Stage 1, Chapter 2) and remembering what you have already decided are your priorities.

Different housing options

Some people struggle to decide on a house because it feels like a major commitment. It is valuable to remember that your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home. You may learn new things about what makes a home the right one for you once you are settled in. Some of the common housing options include:

Social housing

If social housing could be an option for you, the first step is to have a housing assessment with Work and Income; this assessment evaluates if you can register with Kāinga Ora. Talk with them about your housing needs and they may put you on the waitlist for a suitable house. However, the waitlists are long and prioritised based on a wide range of criteria, and there is no guarantee you will be successful.

There may also be community housing organisations in your local community. These may have particular focus areas such as local communities, mental health or ethnicity groups. It can be beneficial to approach community housing organisations directly if you are within their target area. Note: they often rely on you being registered with Kāinga Ora first.

Buying a home

If it is an option to buy a home, then it can be helpful to consider the long-term impacts of that decision. Think about who will own the home and how it will be maintained. It is a good idea to seek legal advice on the best way to set this up for the long term, especially if you need help when making decisions about complex things like this.

If you are going to have tenants share the home with you, Finding your flatmate(s) (Stage 2, Chapter 3) has information about how to set this up. If you are considering co-owning a home with someone else, such as a partner, friend or family member, it is important that you think through what happens if things change. It is rare that flatting situations last forever, so it’s smart to plan for what happens if someone moves out. Depending on the scenario you are setting up, you might want to talk with a lawyer or accountant to help you plan and protect your future if things change.

Renting on the open market

If you are going to be renting on the open property market, make sure you understand the terms of your tenancy agreement and consider whether they fit the life that you are building. Ask yourself: whose name is on the tenancy agreement? What if there is a dispute between you and those you live with? Who is going to be the key contact with the landlord? What will happen if you are asked to leave at short notice?

Living in someone else’s home

What it is like to live in someone else’s home will be different depending on the circumstances. Ask yourself: how long-term is this living situation? What are the terms of the agreement? What happens if the person I am living with changes their mind or their situation changes?

It is important that you have done your research, so you know the living arrangement is a good match for you. Have clear written documentation in place about what is in your agreement and seek advice if what you are agreeing to feels complicated or unfair.

Size vs cost

Along with thinking about where the home will be and what features it needs, an important consideration is the number of bedrooms that you need. More bedrooms will usually mean a more expensive house, but you might also share that cost with someone you live with.

Besides money, think about things like: if you got sick, would someone need to stay with you for a while? How confident are you that you want to live alone? One-bedroom homes often don’t have space for a person to stay overnight, even in the lounge (but there are always exceptions).

Depending on the people involved and the level of paid support, it might be important to have some spaces outside of the bedroom where people can spend time, such as a garage or study, so that your living space does not get taken over by paid supports or someone’s special interest (yours or someone else’s).

Being prepared for change

Regardless of whether your living arrangement involves a disability support provider, a landlord, or a relative, it is valuable to think about the risks and have a plan for what to do if or when something changes.

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Where to start

Define what you need from your physical home

Before you can choose the best place to live, it is important that you have considered what you need from your physical space. Here are some factors you may consider:

Features – are there any features your physical home should have, such as a garden, or does it need to allow pets?

Location – where do you want to live? Are you wanting to stay in your current area or are you open to new locations?

Community – are there people or places that you need to be connected to? Are local bus routes or community spaces important?

Accessibility – does a house need specific features to be accessible, or are there particular spaces that need to be considered, e.g. ramps, or bathrooms that can fit two people at a time?

Affordability – what is your budget for living alone? What is your budget if you are looking at a group living situation? What costs need to be included?

Sensory factors – do you need to consider any sensory sensitivities or preferences, e.g. traffic noise, sound-proofing between rooms, smells or colours?

Disability/support requirements – are there other considerations that will determine whether a house is suitable for you?

It can be helpful to brainstorm what you need, what you want, and what would be nice to have in a physical home. Being clear on these three categories can make it easier to prioritise your options when it comes to making decisions. Finding the balance between what is practical, affordable and safe can also be very challenging; so, knowing which pieces you can and cannot compromise on is important.

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