Client fails to advise of absence

Generally, clients on the register must advise us of their intention to leave New Zealand before their departure as absence from the country may affect their need for housing, and our ability to refer them to a housing provider to be matched to suitable housing.

When a client leaves New Zealand and they fail to advise us they may be identified through the MSD and New Zealand Customs Service data match.

Clients will be contacted and must respond within 10 days.

If the client responds and advises they want to remain on the register for a referral to suitable providers and their absence from New Zealand does not affect their eligibility to be allocated social housing, they will not be removed from the register.

If the client advises they do not want to be referred, but still need social housing and their absence from New Zealand does not affect their eligibility to be allocated social housing, their application will be put on hold.

They will not be referred to a social housing provider until they return to New Zealand.

Clients who fail to respond will be removed from the register as we cannot confirm their eligibility.

However, if a client makes contact within 8 weeks of being removed from the register, their application can be reinstated following a review of their circumstances.