The average weekly rent for a three-bedroom Auckland property was $486 in March, according to Barfoot & Thompson. Photo / Getty Images
The average weekly rent for a three-bedroom Auckland property was $486 in March, according to Barfoot & Thompson. Photo / Getty Images
Top-end Auckland rentals can hit $230,000 a year, enough to buy a house elsewhere.
It costs 10 times the average weekly rent and a one-year tenancy will set you back more than $230,000 - the equivalent purchase price of a standard home in Manawatu/Wanganui.
But the kind of tenants destined for these high-end digs aren't short of cash.
A beachfront property in Devonport is being advertised as a luxury rental for $4500 a week. Also on the North Shore, a Takapuna home is available for the princely sum of $5000 a week ($260,000 a year), while a 31st floor serviced apartment in Auckland's Metropolis tower could be yours for $3000 a week.
Such astronomical rents would financially ruin the typical tenant. But an elite group of cashed-up renters are enjoying the best properties on offer plus sweeteners like luxury vehicles and weekly visits from housekeepers, pool attendants and even florists thrown in.
The Devonport property is owned by interior designer Stephanie Overton and sits on the foreshore of Cheltenham Beach. It has a CV of $5.15 million and comes with an outdoor fireplace, heated deep plunge pool and "water toys" to explore the Hauraki Gulf.
Goode Rentals director Darryl Goode said the stunning four-bedroom, four-bathroom family home was fully furnished. The steep asking rent included house cleaning plus pool and garden maintenance.
Available for 12 months from July while the owner was overseas, the property was likely to be rented by an international company for an executive transfer, as New Zealand was increasingly looked upon as a safe lifestyle choice by wealthy foreigners.
"There are only a small number of people who are renting these properties at that level," Mr Goode said.
A four-bedroom waterfront home on Clifton Rd, Takapuna, is advertised by Auckland Property Management for $5000 a week.
It has its own movie theatre, "rain shower", mirror TV, lap pool, spa pool, aquarium and outdoor pizza oven. With views of Rangitoto, the property has its own petanque court. Aquarium and ground maintenance are included in the rent but smokers and pet owners need not apply.
Meanwhile, a 205sq m Metropolis tower "sub-penthouse" offers 270-degree views over Auckland, entertainer's kitchen, balconied master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe. The $3000 weekly rent includes water, electricity, My Sky, internet, cleaning and linen change.
Mr Goode said a grand five-bedroom Remuera home in Arney Rd was let a few years ago for just over $5000 a week. The tenant transferred from Britain and enjoyed use of the owner's two Audis.
"It was fine just to use those and the florist came round once a week to redo the flowers and they obviously had the gardener, the pool guy and the cleaner - that was all included within the package."
While the market for such high-end luxury rental accommodation was small, Mr Goode said it was growing as the international business community became more mobile and New Zealand was increasingly viewed as a safe place to live.
Auckland Property Management letting consultant Yvonne Fitzgibbon said clients had advertised North Shore rentals for up to $12,000 a week but failed to find tenants in that range.
The average weekly rent for a three-bedroom Auckland property was $486 in March, according to Barfoot & Thompson.
