Housing for the elderly Western District Council Pensioner Housing

Te Kaunihera a rohe mai i nga Kuri-a-Wharei ki ki te Uru Western Bay of Plenty District Council Pensioner Housing

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Welcome... To Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s pensioner housing. This guide will give you all the information you need to settle into your new home. If you have any questions, please contact your property officer.

Contents Page 1. Welcome 2 2. About Western Bay of Plenty District Council pensioner housing units 3 3. Eligibility 3 4. Your Tenancy Agreement 4 5. Moving into your new home 4 6. Paying your bond and rent 4 7. Obligations to Council 5 8. Inspections of the property 5 9. Taking care of your home 5 10. Cleaning guide 5 11. General maintenance 6 12. Afterhours emergency 6 13. Neighbour considerations 6 14. If your circumstances change 7 15. Moving out 7 16. Privacy statement 7

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2. 3. About Western Bay of Eligibility Plenty District Council To be eligible for pensioner housing, prospective tenants must meet the following criteria, and pensioner housing units in cases where a couple applies, both applicants Western Bay of Plenty District Council owns a must meet the following criteria: total of 70 units – one bedroom units and studio • be aged 65 years or over, style – across the district. These are located in • be a recipient of Superannuation Te Puke, and as follows: or similar, • Te Puke - 34 • have a medical doctor must certify the • Waihi Beach - 19 applicant/s is/are able to care for themselves • Katikati - 17 and live independently, They vary in size but, on average, measure • provide two written references or provide approximately 36 square metres. details of two people willing to provide verbal Council’s pensioner housing units are available references (references shall not be relatives for rental, at below open market rentals, to of the applicant/s), applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, as • be able to demonstrate a genuine housing set out in Council’s Pensioner Housing Policy. need, which is assessed on the basis of having At Council, we believe the public indirectly assets with a value of no more than $20,000 benefits from supporting the health and for a single applicant and $25,000 for joint wellbeing of low income residents. applicants. Assets include but are not limited The units are all one bedroom or studio style to savings, private pension, investments, accommodation suitable for 1-2 people. dividends, bonds, shares, trust of any kind, All units contain a kitchen with stove, bathroom car, caravan or boat, and living area. • may earn up to $100 before tax each week from All insurance, rates and maintenance for any benefit, dividends, income (employment), the building are undertaken by Council. beneficiary of trust, or interest Council is currently contracted to provide *If there is a waiting list for units, preference will day-to-day management of the units, which be given to applicants with a history of residency includes tenant placement, tenant liaison within the Western Bay of Plenty District and urgent or minor maintenance issues. Ongoing eligibility All tenancies are managed according to the Should the circumstances of the applicant Residential Tenancies Act 1986. change throughout the tenancy the tenant is obligated to inform the property officer. At any time the property officer can request evidence of the tenant’s eligibility to remain in the unit as assessed above.

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4. ensure your unit has access to these services but you will need to have these connected in Tenancy Agreements your name with your preferred provider. Contents insurance: Should you wish to reside in one of Council’s pensioner housing units you will be asked to sign Western Bay of Plenty District Council a tenancy agreement (attached in this document). recommends you take out contents and renters insurance to ensure your belongings are covered. This agreement will be in writing and will need to be signed before you move into your new home. Council will at all times have insurance for the building however this will not cover your The agreement is drafted by Western Bay of Plenty personal belongings. District Council. You will be provided with a copy of the fully signed agreement for your records. 6. 5. Paying your bond and rent Moving into your home Bond Here are some helpful tips for moving You are required to pay a bond of two weeks into your unit: rent at the beginning of your tenancy. Western Bay of Plenty District Council will Keys: lodge your bond with the Government’s Tenancy Check the keys are correct and you are able to Services who will then contact you with the close and lock each door for security. You may lodgement number to confirm they have also receive a key for other lockable windows received it. or letterbox. Rent Change your address: Your rent must be paid fortnightly in advance. Let important parties know that you have moved Please pay your rent on time. Council can help house so that you will receive your mail at your you set up an automatic payment with your bank new home. should you wish. Let your property officer know your contact If your rent is to be paid directly from your details if they have changed since entering into the superannuation payment then you will need tenancy agreement – such as your phone number. to take your tenancy agreement to Work and Plan ahead: Income to organise. Organise your phone, power and/or internet If at any stage you cannot pay your rent and are connection for your unit. having financial difficulties please contact your property officer as soon as possible. Western Bay of Plenty District Council will

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7. Carpets When stains appear, please remove them Obligations to immediately. If the stain remains or there is Western Bay of Plenty damage to the carpet, please contact your property officer who will arrange a remedy District Council option for you. To be eligible for the pensioner housing units Smoke alarms you must meet the criteria (*Refer to Section 3). It is a requirement under the Residential You must maintain this eligibility while you are Tenancies Act that all homes have a fitted living in the unit. working smoke alarm. If you believe a smoke alarm is not working please contact your property officer as soon as possible. 8. Damage Inspections If any damage occurs to the unit please let your property officer know and they will Your property officer will complete an inspection provide a remedy option for you. of the property before or on your move in date. It is important you raise any concerns with the 10. unit at this stage. This will describe the condition of the unit at the Cleaning Guide start of your tenancy and include any damage to the unit or any provided appliances. Council maintains the units to a good standard. By signing off the inspection you agree to the To help ensure this continues during your state of the unit when you move in. tenancy, and for the next tenant, here are some cleaning guidelines: The property officer will inspect your unit during your tenancy. It is up to you to arrange a suitable Walls – Wipe off any dirty marks, removable time for the property officer to come and inspect scuff marks, finger or food marks the unit and identify any repairs or maintenance Ceilings – Remove any cobwebs and fly dirt that is required. Ceiling mould – Clean off (particularly in wet The property officer may also take photographs of areas and sometimes in bedrooms) any repairs or maintenance that is required. Light fittings – Clean off dust and remove any dead insects inside 9. Skirtings – Wipe down with a damp cloth Taking care of your Doorways, doors – Wipe off finger marks and new home any other removable marks Windows – Clean inside and out, including sills Decorating and improvements and runners (wipe out dust build up and dead As the tenant, you are able to provide window insects. A vacuum cleaner and paint brush may coverings of your choice and decorate the unit be useful) with non-damaging products. If you would like to Stoves – Clean stove top, control display, knobs, make an improvement which requires the fixture panels around knobs, any pull out or inbuilt drip or fitting of items please obtain written approval trays, grill racks, trays and any inserts, oven racks, from your property officer beforehand. trays and oven bottom, walls and oven ceiling

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Kitchen rangehood – Clean or wipe down with • Fire alarms damp cloth • Heat Pumps and their maintenance Bathroom – Clean sink, mirror, cabinet, vanity • Plumbing (taps, basins, showers, hot water unit and drawers, shower, screen doors, bath cylinders and toilets) and wall tiles. Please ensure both the sink and the bath have a plug available Should you have any maintenance questions please contact your property officer. Toilet – Clean seat, bowl inside, outside and around the base 12. Laundry – Clean both inside and outside of the tub, and underneath. Please ensure a plug After hours is present Cupboards/drawers – Clean/wash inside and emergency repairs out. Also, doors and door frames, front and If emergency maintenance is required please back of doors should be clean contact 07 571 8008 (24 Hours). Curtains – Wash any washable curtains and If you are unsure if the maintenance issue is an netting. If other curtains are visibly dusty or emergency you can still ring the number and the dirty, consider dry cleaning or simply vacuum operator will be able to assist you to work out if Blinds – If you have venetian blinds, clean off the issue is an emergency. the blind slats. Any other type of blinds should Some examples include: be able to be wiped down • Fire/Flood/Disaster Floors – To be mopped/washed if needed • Gas leak – please ensure corners and hard to reach areas are also cleaned • Burst water pipe Carpets – To be vacuumed regularly and stains • Electrical sparks or shocks removed effectively after occurring • Broken window or glass

11. • Blocked or broken toilet General Maintenance 13. As the tenant of a pensioner housing unit Neighbourly you are responsible for: considerations • Replacing or repairing any items damaged by you or your visitors Please be a courteous neighbour and try to not • Keeping your unit clean and free of mould disturb your neighbours. • Replacing light bulbs Please also ensure that any visitors you have are • Regularly disposing of rubbish respectful of your neighbours and that they park their vehicles on the road outside the complex Western Bay of Plenty District Council rather than in the complex itself. is responsible for: • Washing Machine If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your neighbours, please contact your • Electrical fittings property officer.

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14. In order to have your bond returned you will need to: If your circumstances • Pay your rent up until the last day of your change notice period • Clean the property (your unit will need pass If your circumstances change you need to inform its final inspection) your property officer. • Return all the keys to your property officer Western Bay of Plenty District Council retains (including any extra keys you have created the right to seek medical advice whether the during your tenancy) tenant can live independently. Your bond may not be returned if the property Council may ask that you seek support from is left, unclean or damaged. a government agency in order to remain in the unit. The property officer can assist you with The final inspection will be carried out once the the appropriate agency. property has been fully cleaned and vacated and the keys have been returned. A final inspection will If there is any concern about your wellbeing this be organised with you by your property officer. will first be addressed with you by the property officer. If the issue is ongoing then your tenancy 16. may be terminated. Privacy Statement 15. Western Bay of Plenty District Council will keep Moving out all information you provide secure in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993. Whether you have issued a notice to Western Bay of Plenty District Council or Council has This means we will not share this information issued a termination notice it is important to with other agencies including Work and Income, ensure your move out runs smoothly. Inland Revenue Department or Ministry of Social Development, unless you give permission. You If you are moving out and handing in your notice have the right to access and correct any personal under the tenancy agreement, please ensure information held about you by Council at any time. your letter contains the address of your unit, Council reserves the right to give your details the date you plan to leave and you sign the letter. to emergency services in an emergency.

6 7 For further information please contact Property Officer: Nigel Sadlier Dave Macfarlane Katikati, Waihi Beach Te Puke

Or alternatively the emergency contact for Western Bay of Plenty District Council: 07 571 8008 / 0800 926 732 [email protected]

www.westernbay.govt.nz