Hi everyone. Yes I am fully aware of the search feature, and yes I know everything I might want to ask has been posted before. But hey, that is what forums are for. Live, in the moment conversation. SO I have read many posts about the housing. There are endless posts. I wat to try to FOCUS this post on as a newcomer to NZ what to look for in a house SPECIFICALLY:
1. What is a "damp"/"cold" house?
2. How do you know if a house is damp or cold? What are the key elements to look for in a house or apartment that indicates it will be damp and/or cold?
In looking online I see some houses have cinderblock painted walls! lol, and I KNOW THAT is a cold damp house! But what I need to know, is how do oyu avoid the disguised cold/damp houses?
3. What type of heating is the most desirable in a unit for rent. I have read about heatpump and how the consensus seems to be you have to have one, bu I am still very confused as to what it is. Here in the US in my city electric is 18Cents kwh and I see it is about 26 cents there. We avoid electric heat like the plague, except for maybe a space heater to sleep with. Gas or propane is preferred. Oil burning stoves used to be good, but this year oil has been outrageous.
4. Lastly, what is the scoop on the anti pet thing! Holy crap! Only 10% of the posts say pets OK or negotiable. Are people receptive if you speak to them? Make alot of money? Agree to add a lease amendment stating professional cleaning and flea treatment will be done when you move out?
I would like to add that the rents on houses and apartments is amazingly high! WOW! I mean WOW WOW WOW. And we expect to be making 95-120K and I am still thinking WOW. But, it is what it is, I am already almost over it. When it bothers me I will go outside and breath n the air, look around, ring up a new friend, walk my dog and NOT have to carry a gun with me everywhere I go and then I won;t care anymore.