Housing Advice Centre

20/05/2026

Don't lose your email login coz you're going to need it to get the bond refund.
Tenancy Services are going digital with bonds being managed online.

Tenancy Services website says: There are 2 ways to apply for a bond refund:

landlords can use their property management software (PMS), or
landlords and tenants can complete the ‘Bond refund’ form and email or post it to Tenancy Services.
Tenants should talk to their landlords about the best way to apply for a bond refund.

But they also say:
From June 2026, Bond Hub will be able to manage bond refunds and changes of tenant online. This means no more paper forms and a faster, more transparent way to manage bonds.

When you become involved with a bond refund, things might look a little different – but the process will be simpler and easier to track.

30/03/2026

Ready to Rent
Free two-day course (10am - 2pm)
- Get tools and skills to help you find a rental
- Learn about tenant’s rights and responsibilities
- Tips to better manage money
- How MSD (Work & Income) and Kainga Ora support you into housing or work.
- How to keep your house warm and dry
- Fire safety
- Tips for interviews with landlords or property managers

The certificate from this course (awarded if you complete both days) can be added to any rental application.

Lunch and morning tea provided
Wednesday and Thursday 22 to 23 April 2026
10am start 2pm finish (please arrive 9.45)

Register with Housing Advice Centre (limited places)
info@housing advice.org.nz
Phone 06 358 4875 or text 022 5056742 Or Leave a message
(Our hours are 10 to 3 Monday to Friday)

19/12/2025

Kia Ora
We're closed today until Monday 5 January at 10am.
MSD might be able to help if you're homeless 0800 559 009

Hope things are going well

Nigel, at Housing Advice Centre

01/12/2025

Bond Hub

Tenancy Services new Bond Hub is now live, the online self-service tool for landlords to view, lodge and top up bonds, including pet bonds. If you are a landlord or property manager that does not use property management software, you can register now – you don’t have to wait.



Through the Bond Hub, if agreed to, landlords can nominate tenants to pay a bond. Tenancy Services will send the tenant an email with instructions and a secure link to pay the bond.



Landlords or property managers using software connected to our bond service, can now initiate a refund from within their software. Tenants will receive an email from Tenancy Services with a link to respond to the refund (e.g. respond with agreement or disagreement). All other landlords and property managers will continue to complete a submit our bond refund form available on our website.



When you get emails from Tenancy Services, they will contain a Landlord ID or a Tenant ID number. Keep these safe and do not share with anyone.



Ensure your email address is up to date with your landlord and/or update your details on your bond record by emailing: [email protected] with your full name, email address, phone number and address of the tenancy.



Find out more: tenancy.govt.nz/bond-changes



Pet bond and pet consent rules

Pet bond and pet consent rules are now in effect, as of 1 December 2025. These changes aim to make it easier for renters to keep pets, while giving landlords added protection.

Find out more about the new rules: www.tenancy.govt.nz/pets

If a tenant wants to keep an animal as a pet at their property, there are rules they must meet to be able to keep the pet.

21/11/2025

Landlords must block any unreasonable gaps or holes, in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors, that cause noticeable draughts. Check out the link below for more details.
Or you could come and see us or Manawatū Tenants Union. A Notice to Remedy is easy to do but again we can help if the landlord wont address the issue.

Landlords must make sure the premises doesn’t have unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors and doors which cause draughts. All unused open fireplaces closed off or their chimneys must be blocked to prevent draughts.

04/11/2025

Available rental listings under $600 in Palmerston North and Feilding are updated and printed out Monday and Thursday Mornings. These will be on the Housing Advice Centre office door by noon on these days, please help yourself. These are also updated on our website. On the rare occasion when we are short staffed the listings may only be updated once a week.
If you need help with applying for rental houses or with your tenant portal, come on in and have a chat with us.

01/09/2025

Annual General Meeting on
Thursday 25th September 2025 @ 12md – 1pm
HOUSING ADVICE CENTRE

VENUE: HANCOCK HOUSE

We warmly invite you to join us at the AGM for an update on the activities of the Housing Advice Centre. It’s a chance to meet the committee and liaise with other organisations, over tea/coffee/light refreshments.

AGENDA: Welcome, Annual Reports, going forward, Election of Officers, General Business.

If you have any queries contact: Nigel Fitzpatrick (Service Cordinator) or Jenny Dalzell (Secretary) ph 06 358 4875 or 022 505 6742

13/08/2025

We are now open Fridays so you can visit or phone us between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday.
Our phone is 06 358-4875. The land line has voice mail which I try and clear before 11 each day.
You can also check out our website - just google Housing Advice Centre - where you can book online. Or you can just come in and take pot luck - We're in Hancock Community House 77 King St - just down the street from Ucol.
Ngā mihi/cheers

Nigel (not a famous Nigel!)