Pensioner Housing

What is the eligibility criteria to apply for a flat in the Hurunui District?

The units are let in the first instance to people of 60 years of age or over, or to invalids and persons in receipt of an invalids benefit or special Needs benefit. 

All applicants must have a housing need and their total assets, including cash, Investments and house property can not exceed $22,000 for a single and $27,000 for couples. If there are no applicants for vacant unit meeting the above criteria, the unit may be let to other tenants meeting the priority criteria 2 to 4 respectively.

The priority criteria are:

Priority One

Preference will  be given to people meeting the asset criteria who have lived and worked in the district or have family who live in the district.

Priority Two

To persons over the age of 50 years who meet the asset requirement.

Priority Three

To persons over 60 years with no asset limit.  Flexibility of criteria will be permitted to ensure 100 % occupancy.

Priority Four

To persons of any age, when advertisements in local papers for tenants have failed to attract applicants meeting priorities one to three.

What are the Council’s rules?

Pets
Sorry, no dogs will be permitted to be kept as pets by any tenant. Cats and other domestic pets will be allowed subject to specific approval being sought and given by the Council.

Floor Coverings

We will provide all floor coverings within the pensioner flat units.  Where current tenants have provided their own carpet they will be replaced when required or a negotiated purchase may take place if the flat is vacated.

Council Involvement

We continue to own and manage the existing units. Our aim is for all pensioner housing in the district to be self funding.

Property Care

We undertake to ensure well kept properties by organising lawn and garden care and hedge trimming where the resident does not carry out this work.

Rentals

We must make sure that all rentals reflect a fair and equitable rent for the housing provided.  A rent review to be carried out annually in February of each year and adjustments in rent be effective from the first week in July of each year.

Inspections

We will carry out a full annual inspection on all pensioner housing units and a report confirming the exercise has been completed together with a summary of the results of inspections be tabled at the next available Works and Services Committee meeting. There will also be an inspection when there is a change of tenancy and a written report be completed.

Tenancy Agreements

We will ensure written tenancy agreements be entered into with all new tenants.

Where are the pensioner units?

5 Church Street Amberley - 5 units (2 double, 3 single)
5 Pound Street Amberley - 3 units (1 double, 2 single)
35 Princes Street, Waikari - 5 units (5 single)
53 Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs - 3 units (3 single)
4 Seddon Street, Cheviot - 4 units (4 single)
5 Rolleston Street, Cheviot - 4 units (4 single)
16 Buckley Street, Cheviot - 5 units (5 single)

What are the rentals?

Please check our latest Fees and Charges schedule, and search for the word "Pensioner".