Flat Hunting In Wellington: a Near Impossible Task

It’s that time of year again. Flats are popping up on the marketplace and the mad scramble to find a place to live next year is about to commence. High demand means steep prices, and it can be a struggle for students to find places under budget.

As of 2019, Wellington has been crowned the most expensive city for renters, according to Trade Me. For students studying in Wellington, this makes the search for flats even harder than before. If entering this crazy marketplace seems like a daunting task, you are not alone.

First-year Victoria University student Jessica Perks is sitting on her bed in her studio apartment styled rooms at Te Puni, one of the most sought-after Victoria University student halls.  A photo collage of herself and friends is blu-tacked to the wall above her head and a pile of books towers precariously on her desk.  She has two concerns on her mind: next week’s exams, and the formidable task of finding a flat to live in for 2020.

Like many first year students, Jessica is flat-hunting together with a group of friends. Being well aware of the high demand for flats in the Wellington region, she knows it’s not going to be easy to find a place.

In the annual tradition, Facebook pages like the infamous ‘Vic Deals’ and ‘FAM (Flat Mates and More) Wellington’ are about to be bombarded with students desperately scrambling to find someone to fill their summer sublease. Others panic, tagging their friends in every flat they see available.

It happens to the best of us. Filled with hope, we excitedly tag our friends in the comment section of that perfect flat, but alas, we are let down for the umpteenth time.

“It is so hard because people find flats on Vic Deals and they are gone within minutes,” Jessica says.

On top of the already difficult task of finding a flat, students are often in the midst of exam season when the hunt begins. Jessica is currently studying for next week’s psychology and anthropology exams, and she is finding it hard to juggle the stress. 

Jessica has just begun to dip her toes into the world of flat viewings, but she has already encountered the tainted conditions of many flats. Jessica and her friend are discussing their experiences so far with flat hunting, giggling as they recall the foul state of some of the places they have visited. 

“I would not be happy living there, I don’t think it is good for peoples’ well being, but you just kinda have to settle, you kinda just need a place to live,” she says.

She is not alone in this, the grotty student flat stereotype reflects certain truths. According to a report released by Statistics New Zealand, 32% of dwellings in the Wellington region have problems with dampness and mold.

On top of the struggles to find a flat without mold growing up the bathroom walls, the median rent in Wellington has gone up by $60. Last year the median rent was $550 per week, according to a recent Trade Me Rental Price Index. 

I am writing this from my desk in the second flat I have lived in this year. I too had to make the transition from university hall to a flat. At the time, I found the experience of finding a flat very anxiety-inducing.  There are certain things I wish I knew at the time.

I spoke to Wellington-based landlord Liz Anderson to find out more about what a landlord looks for in a tennant. She gave some tips for students who are looking to find a flat.

“How you present yourself is really important, don’t turn up hungover. You want to look clean, wear clean clothes and be engaged,” Liz says.

Liz believes that it is about context. How you present yourself also depends on what sort of place you are going to look at.

“Think about the kind of property you are going to see, if you want something better you have to present yourself more proper,” she says.

However, it’s not all about your appearance on the day. For experienced flatters, it’s also about your prior reputation. If you have been a problematic tenant in previous flats, it may be harder to find a place, suggests Liz.

Most importantly of all, be confident, be engaged, and be persistent. Though flat hunting can seem like a stressful task, rest assured you will find a place.