Rent Bond and Move-in Cost Calculator

This calculator works out the upfront cost of moving into a rental in New Zealand, the lump sum you need ready before you get the keys, and checks it against the limits set by the Residential Tenancies Act. Moving into a rental is more expensive at the start than many people expect, because you usually have to pay a bond and rent in advance at the same time, on top of the cost of actually shifting your belongings. The law sets clear maximums: the bond can be no more than four weeks' rent, and a landlord can require at most two weeks' rent in advance, which together come to six weeks' rent before you have even moved in. Letting fees charged to tenants have been banned since December 2018, so you should not be asked to pay one. You enter the weekly rent, the number of weeks of bond and rent in advance being asked for, and your moving costs, and the calculator totals the upfront cost and flags if the bond or advance exceeds the legal limit. Use it to budget for a move and to check that what you are being asked to pay is within the rules. The bond must be lodged with Tenancy Services, not kept by the landlord. This is general information, not legal advice.

Bond is capped at 4 weeks and rent in advance at 2 weeks under the Residential Tenancies Act. Letting fees to tenants are banned. General information only.