Living with Us

Useful information you should know when living in a Te Toi Mahana home

Setting up your utilities

You are responsible for setting up your utilities, including electricity, contents insurance, phoneline and internet. You can choose which company you want to use. Please contact them directly to make connection arrangements.

We recommend doing this as soon as you agree to your tenancy start date so there is enough time to get your connections up and running for when you move in.

Make sure you let any organisations you work with know your new address. This includes your employer, Work and Income, your GP, your bank, and any support agencies.

House painter reinstalls a drapery rod RM

Healthy homes standards

The healthy homes standards provide specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture entry and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.

For existing tenants all Te Toi Mahana properties will be compliant with all the standards by the 1 July 2024 deadline. We are over 50% compliant to date and are on track to complete the remaining properties in time.

For new tenants, your new home, must comply within 90 days of any new tenancy starting.

In your welcome pack, you will find a statement that outlines how your new home meets the healthy homes standards or explains if your home has an exemption for any of the standards. If you need help to understand this statement, talk to your tenancy advisor who can help.

For more information about the healthy homes standards visit Healthy homes » Tenancy Services

Taking care of your home

There are a few simple things you can do to help keep your home warm, dry, and easy to maintain. We recommend you:

Open your windows for at least 30 minutes every day. This introduces fresh air to your home and removes moisture. Dry air is easier, faster, and cheaper to heat than damp air. If your home has a heat pump, you can use the ‘dry’ function which acts as a dehumidifier.
Use the extractor fans in your kitchen and bathroom when cooking and showering (if you have them). This helps to remove moisture from your home.
Try to dry your washing outside – this way it will reduce the moisture in your home. Most complex’s and homes have outdoor clothes lines conveniently situated for all tenants use.
Clean spills straight away. It’s easier to clean mess and spills immediately and helps to protect your carpet and furniture.
Let us know straight away if there are any maintenance issues with your home

Being a considerate neighbour

If you haven’t lived in a housing complex before, you might notice that noise travels. Please be mindful of your close neighbours and ask your visitors to do the same.

If one of your neighbours is causing an excessive amount of noise, as a first step we recommend you knock on the door and ask them to reduce the noise levels. Often a friendly word is all that’s needed.

If this is unsuccessful, you can contact Wellington City Council’s noise control team on 04 499 4444. They will need your contact information and you will need to provide them with access into the building.

If the problem continues, or you feel unsafe, please talk to your tenancy advisor.

Facilities

Laundry facilities

Many complexes have washing machines and dryers available to use at no cost. Please be considerate, do not overfill the machines, and empty them as soon as you are done.
If you have large blankets, rugs, duvets, or other large items to wash, these are not suitable for the machines and will need to be taken elsewhere.
If you experience a problem with the washing machines or dryers, please let us know and we will arrange for them to be repaired.

Rubbish and recycling

Most Te Toi Mahana complexes have rubbish and recycling facilities.
Please sort your rubbish and recycle items. The bins provided show what can be recycled and which bins to use. Wash cans, bottles, and other items that you place in the recycling bins.
Putting items into the wrong recycling bin can contaminate the whole bin, which means it can no longer be recycled and must be sent to the landfill.
If you have large items you need to dispose of like a chair, you will need to arrange this yourself. Visit wellington.govt.nz/tipshop for information about what can be dropped off at the Tip Shop and Recycle Centre. If you can’t do this, please talk to your tenancy advisor about other options.