Q: What is a Bond?

A bond (also known as a ‘security deposit’) is an amount of money that you need to pay that can be used by the apartment owner if you do not meet the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement. Examples of this include If you fail to keep the property clean, cause damage or are in rent arrears, the owner of the property may claim some or all of the bond only when the tenancy ends. The majority of bonds are refunded in full as most UniLodgers vacate with no issues.

Q: What is a Condition Report?

When you pay a bond, we must prepare a ‘Condition Report’, which records the property’s general condition, including fittings and fixtures, and present you with 2 paper copies of this Report when you come to collect your keys. Review and, if necessary, add your comments to the ‘Condition Report’. You must return the report to UniLodge within three business days of moving in and you should keep a copy of the ‘Condition Report’ until the end of the tenancy. The ‘Condition Report’ is a very important document, as it can be used as evidence if there is a dispute about who should pay for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items, particularly at the end of a tenancy. You may want to take photos of your apartment at the start of your tenancy to further show the condition. The owner may claim some or the entire bond for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items at the end of your tenancy. If the ‘Condition Report’ stated that the work was required at the start of the tenancy, or the items were not listed, it can help you prove the bond should be returned to you.

Question 1

How do I reserve a room at UniLodge @ Auckland Central?

Accepted Answer

Complete the enquiry form.

Question 2

What kind of contracts does the property offer?

Accepted Answer

Full Year leases are preferable, but options will include Full Year (52 weeks), Academic Year (42 weeks), Semester (20 weeks).

Question 3

Do you have car parking facilities?

Accepted Answer

No parking available.

Question 4

What do I need to buy before I can move in?

Accepted Answer

Your apartment is furnished with a bed, study desk and chair, wardrobe, fridge, and microwave oven. You will need to supply all of your own linen & kitchen equipment &ndash; available online via our convenient UniLodge online shop, Your Shop.

Question 5

What do I do if I have a visitor?

Accepted Answer

As this is a secure building, all residents are required to meet their guests at the entrance door as this door is only accessible by a resident swipe card.

Question 6

If I really want to move rooms after I move in – is that possible?

Accepted Answer

Once you have signed a lease for your room, you cannot change rooms until your lease expires or you break your lease.

Question 7

Can I move out at any time?

Accepted Answer

When you move into your apartment, you sign a Residential Tenancies Agreement. This is a legally binding document that means you have committed to paying rent from the start date on your contract until the end date of your contract. If you move out, you still have to pay rent until your contract expires. However, if you have no choice but to move out, you can break your lease. This means that you need to pay a lease break fee and the rent until someone else takes over your contract.

Question 8

What is a Bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond (also known as a &lsquo;security deposit&rsquo;) is an amount of money that you need to pay that can be used by the apartment owner if you do not meet the terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement. Examples of this include If you fail to keep the property clean, cause damage or are in rent arrears, the owner of the property may claim some or all of the bond only when the tenancy ends. The majority of bonds are refunded in full as most UniLodgers vacate with no issues.

Question 9

How much is the Bond?

Accepted Answer

If your rent the equivalent to 4 weeks rental on a General Tenancy Agreement, the bond cannot be more than 4 week&rsquo;s rent. This bond is held by the Tenancy board and refunded by them should all be in order with your room and account on departure.

Question 10

Paying the Bond?

Accepted Answer

All rental bonds for properties in New Zealand are lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) a state government body. Payment must be made be paid direct, and the bond number and letter of proof provided to the property before arrival.

Question 11

What is a Condition Report?

Accepted Answer

When you pay a bond, we must prepare a &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo;, which records the property&rsquo;s general condition, including fittings and fixtures, and present you with 2 paper copies of this Report when you come to collect your keys. Review and, if necessary, add your comments to the &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo;. You must return the report to UniLodge within three business days of moving in and you should keep a copy of the &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo; until the end of the tenancy. The &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo; is a very important document, as it can be used as evidence if there is a dispute about who should pay for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items, particularly at the end of a tenancy. You may want to take photos of your apartment at the start of your tenancy to further show the condition. The owner may claim some or the entire bond for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items at the end of your tenancy. If the &lsquo;Condition Report&rsquo; stated that the work was required at the start of the tenancy, or the items were not listed, it can help you prove the bond should be returned to you.

Question 12

I am vacating, can I use the Bond for my last month’s rent?

Accepted Answer

No, your bond and rent are separate payments. You are required to pay rent in the specified way up to and including the date of your departure.

Question 13

What happens when I vacate?

Accepted Answer

You need to leave your apartment clean and tidy in the same condition as when you arrived, and ensure all personal items have been removed, report any damage that may have been caused during your tenancy. This allows for a speedy bond resolution.

Question 14

How do I receive my Bond back?

Accepted Answer

At the end of the tenancy we will provide you a &ldquo;Bond Claim&rdquo; form for completion (or you can download your own copy from the RTA website), Please ensure you sign the form with the same signature as you used on the &ldquo;Bond Lodgement&rdquo; form at the start of your tenancy. The RTA will match signatures and will only process your claim if they match. We will lodge the bond claim form once we have the owner and your signed agreement, it then takes another 2-3 business days for the RTA to process, it repays the bond directly into the nominated bank account on the form, If you have not provided valid bank account details, but have provided a forwarding address, the RTA will send a cheque. If the RTA is unable to do either of the above they will retain your money, you will need to contact them via phone on 1300 366 311 to organise for your refund to be released to you.

Question 15

Why are you claiming my Bond?

Accepted Answer

The Owner is entitled to compensation if you have failed any terms or conditions in your tenancy agreement or breached the Residential Tenancies Act . Please note that the owner cannot claim for wear and tear of items or fittings in the apartment. At UniLodge the vast majority of these sorts of issues are resolved by agreement between the owner and the tenant. If there is no agreement then the Owner may decide to ask the Auckland Tenancy tribunal to hold a hearing to finally decide on the issue.

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