Security deposit for emergency housing

The security deposit can help to cover certain types of losses or damages that you, or people staying with you, are responsible for.

For example, damage to, or replacement of:

• curtains, carpet or furniture
• kitchen appliances (toaster, jug, etc)
• walls, doors
• locks or keys/key cards
• any other spaces or shared spaces, such as a laundry room, hallway or play area.

How it works

If your supplier asks for a security deposit, talk to us about this when you apply for emergency housing.

We'll approve a security deposit at the start of your stay, but we won't pay the supplier then. We'll usually approve up to 7 nights' of the accommodation cost. We'll discuss the amount with you before we approve it and check you agree with it. 

If there are any losses or damages during your stay or when you leave, your supplier can make a claim to get the deposit paid.

Making a claim

We'll only pay the security deposit on your behalf if:

• there are losses or damages that you, or someone staying with you, were responsible for
• there are unpaid costs, and
• the supplier has made a claim.

The supplier must claim within 3 months

Your housing supplier will need to claim any losses or damages from us within 3 months of when you leave. 

You will need to pay it back to us

If you get a main benefit, NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, it will automatically come out of this payment.

If you don't, we'll let you know how you can pay us back.

Main benefit

If you don't agree to the loss or damage

If the supplier tells us you don't agree that you or your whānau are responsible for the loss or damage, we won't pay the security deposit. We will pay it once you have agreed on an outcome with the supplier. If you don't agree on an outcome, it may go to a Tribunal or court.

If you didn't check out of your accommodation, we will still pay it regardless.

You'll need to talk to the emergency housing supplier and resolve it with them.

Costs not covered by security deposit

There are standard costs that are not covered by the security deposit. If you have these costs, you will need to pay the bill yourself.

This could include things like:

• phone
• internet pre-pay television charges
• storage
• laundry services
• car-parking
• utilities
• meal charges.