Tenancy reviews

First we’ll check the information we have about you and your situation.

If our information shows you still qualify for public housing and the place you’re in still meets your needs, we’ll send you a letter. It will say we’ve reviewed your tenancy and you can stay where you are.

If we need to know more, one of our housing case managers will get in touch with you. We’ll ask for more information so we can fully understand your situation and housing needs.

We’ll also look at things like:

• how difficult it is to find a private rental that meets your needs
• could you afford to move
• if you did move, could you stay long term.

It’s really important for you to tell your housing case manager about your situation. If we can’t get information from you, we’ll still need to review your tenancy using the details we have.

While we’re assessing your situation, we can help you look into other housing options – especially if it looks like you may not qualify for public housing.

We’ll also look at how we can support you, like help with bond, rent or moving costs.

Once we’ve assessed your situation and needs, we’ll let you know the outcome.

Still qualify for public housing

If you still qualify for public housing, you can stay where you are.

Still qualify but you need a different sort of place

If you still qualify, but things have changed and you need a different sort of place, you can stay where you are.

However, if another place is available that’s better for you, your landlord may be able to offer it to you. For example, you need a place with fewer bedrooms because a family member has moved to their own place. We’ll let them know about that.

No longer qualify for public housing

If you no longer qualify for public housing, you can keep working with us to find other housing for at least 3 months – or longer if you genuinely need it. We understand it may take time for some people to find other housing that meets their needs, and we’re here to support you during this time.

It’s really important you keep in touch with your housing case manager during this time. This is so we know how you’re getting on and what support we can offer you - like help with bond, rent or moving costs. We’ll also need to know if anything changes, in case this means you can stay in public housing.

At the end of this time, we’ll let your landlord know if you no longer qualify for public housing. Your landlord will get in touch with you to talk about next steps. At this point, they may choose to give you a 90-day notice to move out of the property.

Questions

If you have any questions about your tenancy review, call your housing case manager. Their number will be in the letter we sent to let you know you’re having a tenancy review.

If you don’t know the number for your housing case manager, who you call depends on your situation. If you get:

• a benefit or extra help payments from us, call us on 0800 559 009
• NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, call Senior Services on 0800 552 002
• no payments from us or Senior Services, call Housing Unit on 0800 673 468.

Concerns

If you don’t agree with our decision about your tenancy review, you can call us. We may be able to explain or fix it over the phone.

If you still don’t agree, you can ask for it to be reviewed.