Beginner’s guide to the HomeStart Grant: how to apply online for pre-approval

So you are looking for your first home – but where do you start on the process of applying for a HomeStart grant from Housing New Zealand? Pre-approval is a must! It makes the whole process a lot easier following making an offer on a property.

Here’s how you apply for pre-approval:

1. Make sure you have the correct information ready to go. You will need the following:

• Proof of income: Log in to your myIR account, click on the salary & wages tab, click on earnings last 12 months tab and then print/save tab. Save this as your application will be done online.

• Proof of KiwiSaver Contributions: While still in myIR go to the KiwiSaver tab, go through to KiwiSaver, view transactions, in the drop down menu (by “show”) select deductions from salary/wages, enter a date range from 2/07/2007 (KiwiSaver start date) to today’s date and apply filter. At the bottom of the page you will see a button that says “show all pages” select this and then print. You will need to scan these as well.

• Pay Slips: You will require payslips from the last two months. Scan and save these so that you can use them in your application.

• Identification: Scan either your driver’s licence or passport and save ready for your online application.

2. Click here and start your application.

3. Once completed and submitted you should receive a confirmation email from Housing New Zealand that they have received your application.

You should receive your pre-approval letter with the level of grant from Housing New Zealand within 10 working days. It will include some further paperwork that will need to be completed once you have found a property.

-Kirsty Appleton, Registered Conveyancer