333 days ago

Need help? Ask us.

Hira Siddiqui from Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau

Daily life can sometimes bring us questions, issues and challenges that are tricky to deal with on our own. It’s good to have a place to go where you can get help with this stuff, where it won’t cost you anything, and the help is confidential and non-judgemental.

CAB is that place. We will awhi you (show support) with information and advice and connect you with any specialist services you may need. We will help you understand what your rights are and can help you with your next steps.

It doesn’t matter what your issue is – employment, renting, a relationship matter, an immigration issue, or a consumer problem – we’re here to help you.

You can contact us through our CAB freephone number 0800 367 222, pop in to see us at 7 Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga (no appointment needed) or visit our website at cab.org.nz to kōrero (speak) with us online or email us.

We have a team of trained CAB volunteers delivering our service of information and advice to the public. This means when you come to us for help, you get to speak with a real person if you want to.

You don’t have to be a New Zealand citizen or resident to get help from us. We’re here for everyone.

No matter who you are; if you need help and don’t know who to ask – ask us!

hashtag#CAB hashtag#NotSureAskUs hashtag#HereForYou hashtag#InformationAdviceSupport

Image
More messages from your neighbours
17 days ago

Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

Image
17 hours ago

Here's what you need to know before making an offer on a house

Hira Siddiqui from Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga/Eastern Manukau

🏠 What is the neighbourhood like?
Familiarise yourself with the neighbourhood, to check accessibility to public transport, schools and shops. Visit the street at different times of day, to find out how quiet or noisy it gets. Check with the local council whether they know of any future developments in the area that could increase noise or traffic.
🏠 How much are the rates and insurance?
Do a property search on the local council’s website to see what the rates are.
You can also get quotes from insurers to find out what it might cost to insure it.
Check whether the homeowner is paying off the cost of installing insulation or heating units through their rates, because you will inherit that debt if you buy the house.
🏠 For a unit title, check the pre-contract disclosure
If the property is on a unit title development (for example, an apartment), ask to see the pre-contract disclosure. This is basic information about the unit and the unit title development.
🏠 Get a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) report
A LIM report tells you everything the local council knows about the land and the buildings, for example, what building consents and code compliance certificates they have issued for work done on the property.
🏠 Pre-purchase building inspection
Get an independent building inspector to examine the house thoroughly and look for potential problems with weather-tightness, wiring, plumbing or the foundations (piles).
Ask them to check for features that might make maintenance more difficult. For example, some types of wall claddings need specialist knowledge to maintain, access to the gutters might not be straightforward, and retaining walls can be expensive to repair.
🏠 Check the property title
Ask a lawyer or conveyancer to check the property title for things like easements. For example, an easement might allow a neighbour to access part of the property. The property title should also confirm the property boundary.
More information is on the Settled website:
www.settled.govt.nz...
Image credit: Ray White New Zealand
Info credit: Citizens Advice Bureau: cab.org.nz

Image
19 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.

Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.

We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?

Image
As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.6% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.6% Complete
  • 43.2% I want to be able to choose.
    43.2% Complete
  • 47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.2% Complete
2304 votes