[butch]

Our Plan A is to move Auckland next year on a business visa - Plan B (if we don't get the business visa) is to go anyway on a tourist visa and buy a business when we're there.

If we go over on a tourist visa we'll be looking to rent. From previous threads I gather the rental system is somewhat more relaxed than the UK. In terms of fixed term leases, what is the minimum duration? We'll be wanting a house for 6-9 months, can you sign a 12 month contract and have a break clause after 6 months??

Also does anyone one know of any good websites for rental property, from what I've found there doesn't appear to be a huge amount on the market...

toodle pip

Butch

[jubjub]

Most landlords seem to like a 3 month minimum with most wanting a commitment of 6, it just depends on the landlor/agent.

To start with shorter rental terms are better in case you dont like the area, and you can move quickly instead of being stuck, or suffering penalties for breaking a lease.

Try looking at www.trademe.co.nz for some ideas, and the major estate agents do rentals too, this might be a good place to start...

http://www.allrealestate.co.nz/

[Avalon]

Plan B (if we don't get the business visa) is to go anyway on a tourist visa and buy a business when we're there.

Butch,

Sorry if im being a bit thick - but can you do that? I was just wondering if you needed the visa before you bought the business.

Sounds like a plan if you can :cheers

[butch]

Sal - thanks for reply, exactly what I needed to know.

Avalon - From the research I've done there is nothing to stop a non resident buy a NZ business or a share in one. However it does not automatically qualify you for a business visa, (ownership of 25% or more of a NZ business for 2 yrs gives you automatic qualification for a business visa) but if I don't get a business visa at the first time of asking I will re-apply once in NZ, and hopefully owning a business already should demonstrate my committment and improve my chances of getting a visa.

Butch

[Avalon]

Cheers - thats my "something new I learned today" covered!

BTW - welcome!

[Lupin]

I was wondering that about rentals because here in the UK I think it's quite tricky to get out of a typical 6 month lease early, isn't it?

[jaycee]

There are two kinds of tenancy in NZ - fixed term and periodic.

Fixed term is exactly what it says - the term can be anything, whereas in the UK it's usually either 6 or 12 months.

The periodic agreement has no specified term - either you or the landlord can give notice at any time (21 days for tenants, 90 days for landlords). I did this for my tenants in NZ, but don't know how common it is. Might be worth asking about, as a way to extend an initial 3 or 6 months fixed term rental, if you want to stay longer but are uncertain as to how long.

[KerryS]

Other than Trade Me, which is a great place to find a rental property, most real estate agents do rentals too.
Try Barfoot & Thompson, LJ Hooker, Crockers. Think they are all .co.nz

[Going2NZ]

Take a look at this thread. There are a lot of links to rental agencies included.
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5076

[Smiler]

I was wondering that about rentals because here in the UK I think it's quite tricky to get out of a typical 6 month lease early, isn't it?

Lupin

We 'got out' of our 1 year contract by approaching the landlord and asking.
He said fine, as long as you find someone to take over the remaining 5 months of your contract.

We did!

We also asked a couple of other agencies if they would allow this and they said yes too.

We only took the get out clause because we were offered other options, not because we disliked the agency or property.