English Language Matters: Student Life - Accommodation

Where to Stay?

The biggest decision you have to make is where you will live while you are studying with us.

If you are under 18 years old English Language Matters Limited insists that you live in a homestay situation or with a designated caregiver arranged by your parents who meets our Pastoral Care standards.

Homestay

$224 per week – includes room, power, local phone calls, and food (for an extra $4 per day includes a packed lunch on school days and extra $28 per week for Halal meat).

English Language Matters Limited is able to provide you a homestay experience with one of our quality host families. Homestay is an excellent way to make friends, learn about New Zealand culture and practice your English while living in a safe, comfortable environment. New Zealand families are typically kind, honest and friendly, and they enjoy meeting people from other cultures.

English Language Matters Limited organises and inspects all our homestay families. We visit the family homes, interview the family members, and make sure that they are suitable for our students. We follow the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students this means that all of our host families are checked by the New Zealand Police. We also ask our students to fill out questionnaires about their homestay, so that we can make sure our families are providing a good environment.

We can provide many kinds of families: young couples, older couples, families with young children, families with older children, families with pets and without pets, families who work and families who are retired, families with all kinds of hobbies and lifestyles.

In the Homestay Request section of the Application Form, we ask you to specify what kind of family you would like. It is important to fill in this section so that the Homestay Coordinator has all the necessary information and can match you with a family who will best suit your needs.

We charge a Homestay Placement Fee of $200 to find you suitable Homestay accommodation

English Language Matters Limited insists that students get their own room furnished with a bed, heater, chest of drawers, desk and chair, linen and towels. Students are responsible for keeping their room neat and tidy. Laundry is included in homestay costs and usually the family will show you how to use the washer and drier, although some families will do the laundry for you (especially younger students).

During the week, you will receive breakfast and dinner, and on the weekend, you receive breakfast, lunch and dinner. Packed lunches are available on weekdays for an extra fee.

Our Homestay Coordinator is always available to meet with students and discuss your homestay. We will send you some information about Homestay Customs and Courtesy in New Zealand when you request your homestay.

To apply for a Homestay family, fill out the relevant section on the application form and send it to us.

Code of Practice

English Language Matters Limited has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at www.minedu.govt.nz

Other Kinds of Accommodation

Not everyone wants to live in a homestay so there are some other options for students who are aged 18 years and over.

English Language Matters Ltd does not arrange any accommodation other than homestays, so if you choose to stay in any other form of accommodation you will need to arrange this yourself. The Student Welfare Director has information about various types of accommodation and can assist you with any problems you may have.

Hostels and Backpackers

Prices range from NZ$90 to NZ$220 per week, depending on the location and quality.

There are many backpackers and hostels throughout New Zealand. In Dunedin there is a wide range of choice, price and quality. The Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand has two facilities in the city, and there is a variety of other hostels and backpackers which offer budget accommodation for travelers.

Students can choose an individual, shared room or dormitory. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are communal. It can be almost impossible to get a hostel room for more than a few nights between November and May as this is the peak tourism season in Dunedin. We are able to provide you with more information and assistance in finding a suitable hostel – simply inform us on your Application Form that you would like Hostel Accommodation, but we DO NOT book these for you.

Rental Accommodation

Allow $80 to $180 per room per week, then at least $50 per week for food and $50 per week for bills. Don’t forget to allow for start up costs of $400 to $600. The prices of rental rooms vary depending on the quality of the house, the number of bedrooms and the location in the city. For more details on average rental prices visit www.minhousing.govt.nz/tenancy and go to “Market rent information”, or check the Dunedin newspaper, The Otago Daily Times, on-line at www.odt.co.nz

Some students prefer to rent an apartment, or to find someone who is looking for a flatmate. Advertisements for ‘flats’ (houses where people share the rental fees) to rent and roommates wanted can be found in the local newspapers(www.odt.co.nz) or on the English Language Matters notice board where accommodation notices are displayed. Finding a flat for short-term rental can be time-consuming and difficult.

When you rent you have to remember to budget for: 2 weeks rent in advance, 2 to 4 weeks rent as a ‘bond’ (refunded at the end of your tenancy if the house remains in good condition), electricity bills (allow $40-$60 per month per person), telephone bills (basic line rental with no national or international calls is $40 per month). On top of these you have to ensure you have enough money to buy furniture like a bed/desk/chair/couch and you must have money to buy food for three meals a day!

English Language Matters Ltd has copies of standard New Zealand rental agreements in the Student Welfare office and we can give you advice on renting but we do not arrange any rental accommodation for our students. We can give you details of rental agencies who will assist you, usually for a fee of one to two weeks rent, to find a suitable house or room.
We suggest that all students who are new to Dunedin try a homestay for the first 4 weeks while they are getting established.

Boarding Houses

Range from $160 to $220 per week. In a boarding house your local phone, electricity and room are included in the price. You usually share a bathroom and kitchen with other people. You still have to buy and prepare your own food