Central House is a ministry of Wellington Central Baptist Church. Central House is an accommodation service for young adults moving to Wellington to study or work. We hope in providing this accommodation we provide a place in which students and young workers can develop and strengthen their Christian faith in a new city. 

In choosing to be a part of Central House, you opt into a few House commitments. Every Monday during normal semester time we have community night from 7:20-9 pm. This is an opportunity to gather together to grow in faith and spend time with one another. Outside of placements, illness or emergencies attendance is expected. Every Tuesday night there is community cleaning and flats are assigned on a rotation, residents at CH are expected to contribute to community cleaning. Finally, Central House has a camp at the beginning of the year that requires attendance by all residents, this camp focuses on connecting, discussing practical flatting issues and discipleship. 

The address for Central House is 37-39 Boulcott Street, Wellington. 

Central House is located on top of an inner-city car park building and has two separate entrances: one by elevator from Boulcott Street and one by ramp from Church Street. We use a swipe keycard system to maintain security and safety for our residents. 

Central House is within easy walking distance of most tertiary institutions and there is a good bus service nearby. Car parking is not provided although parking in the building may be available (at an extra cost - contact managers for more information). There is a secure place to store bicycles and surfboards. 

The apartments provide places for 27 people in five self-contained apartments. Four of the apartments have six residents each and one has three residents. All residents have a single room. There is a variety of sizes of rooms and they are assigned by the managers, upon arrival you will be shown your flat and room. The smaller apartment has access for people with disabilities and often has hosted students with dietary requirements. 

Each apartment is responsible for their own day-to-day living arrangements including cooking and cleaning. It is recommended to have some experience of cooking and cleaning before going flatting, but the managers and RAs can help with that as well.  

Each apartment is fully furnished and contains a basic equipped kitchen, lounge, TV and dining facilities. Each bedroom contains a desk, desk chair (you can bring your own if you like), wardrobe, under-bed storage, heater, bed, and mattress. There is a shared laundry with washing machines and dryers. 

Residents need to bring bedding, pillow, mattresses protector, and personal effects. 

Kate and Josh Dunstan-Brown live in the staff apartment above the main house. Kate is a pastor at Wellington Central Baptist and as part of that role is the ongoing pastoring and management of Central House alongside Josh. Together they provide pastoral support to residents, encourage community life within the apartments, and lead community nights. 

The Central House committee (which includes both managers) has oversight of the apartments, including the selection of residents, administration, and maintenance of the building. The Ministry Team also has the responsibility for requiring any resident who does not abide by the House Rules or who causes severe disruption to other people to leave Central House. A period of 7 days notice will be given in this situation. 

Rent for 2025 is set at $294 per week. This is payable fortnightly in advance and best paid by automatic payment. More details are included upon acceptance to Central House. 

A one time $150.00 activities fee is payable at the start of the year for each resident. This helps contribute to the costs of the ball, camp, community nights and other house activities. 

A bond equal to a week’s rent is required to be paid before residency commences. If this is not paid the offer of residency will be withdrawn. At the end of the year the apartments are inspected and any cleaning or repairs over and above reasonable wear and tear will be charged against the bond. The bond may be held for up to two months after the end of residency until costs of any repairs required have been ascertained. 

You definitely can! 

On 23 August 2024, Central House (alongside the other big universities) will host an open day for potential residents to come to visit and see the facilities. 

You can also arrange to visit by filling out the contact form. 

All the flats are self-catering and the kitchens are equipped with what you need for meal preparation. 

There are many local supermarkets and veggie markets easily accessible either by walking or by bus. We recommend that CH residents budget between $80 -100 per week for food. Students often range in cooking abilities and we encourage taking turns with their flat mates to cook meals. Most often our students enjoy developing a whole new range of skills and menu ideas!

Please complete the online form, you will receive confirmation that your application has been received and your references will be contacted. 

Central House Expectations and Rules 2024

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other. Romans 12:9-10

Central House is a ministry of Wellington Central Baptist Church dedicated to the care and wellbeing of Christian young people in their early years of study in Wellington.  It is our hope that you will grow in faith, maturity and community during your time at Central House. We also hope that you will make an effort to honour the expectations of the house as they are designed to guide and keep all residents and the property safe.

General

• Residents are required to attend the weekly Central House Community Night and are encouraged to be actively involved in a local church.

• A bible study is hosted in the house weekly, and each flat will be willing to have it in their living space on rotation.

• Do not act beyond the grounds of responsible behaviour. If in doubt, check with the house managers.

• Residents must refrain from any behaviour which brings the name or reputation of Central House into disrepute.

Privacy

• Residents shall consider the reasonable peace, comfort and privacy of other residents as well as those in neighbouring premises.

Parties

• Parties are not permitted without the express permission and knowledge of the House Managers 48 hours in advance of the event. Residents must also ask permission of each of their flat members before holding a party.

Guests

• Residents are required to ensure guests adhere to the House Rules at all times and accept responsibility for their actions. We will require them to leave if their behaviour is unacceptable or if they are intoxicated.

• Residents shall not let visitors into Central House unless they know them, and if guests are let in, the relevant resident will take full responsibility for their guest’s actions.

• Visitors are required to leave when the 'quiet period' comes into effect unless prior arrangement is made with the House Managers or RA on duty.

• For Fire Safety reasons no person other than current Central House residents may stay overnight without the express permission and knowledge of the House Managers. Residents must ask permission of each of their flat members before inviting guests to stay overnight. Agreement should be obtained on visitors’ contribution to flat expenses and the length of their stay. If a guest would like to stay longer than three consecutive nights, the resident hosting said guest needs to get further permission from the House Manager for a longer term stay.

Noise

• Residents shall observe a quiet period from 10pm until 7am each week day. Residents shall observe a quiet period from 11pm until 7am over the weekends. In addition, we ask that residents be aware of their flatmates as some students have work or exams on Saturday morning and we ask that you respect their desire for an earlier quiet period.

• The laundry appliances shall not be used between the hours of 10pm to 7.30am on any day.

Alcohol

• Any resident or guest under the age of 18 years will not be allowed to consume or be in the possession of alcohol on the premises of CH. If you are 18 or over reasonable consumption of alcohol is allowed provided noise and/or damage is not a problem and no alcohol ban is in place. No alcoholic spirits are allowed on site, unless you have had a direct conversation with the house managers and they approve the use of spirits.

• All drunkenness, illicit drugs, smoking, and vaping are prohibited anywhere on Central House property (including balconies, decks, stairs, the lift, and carpark).

• No alcohol consumption is permitted on the premises during the stated quiet periods (i.e. after 10pm on weeknights).

• Drinking alcohol on the premises is a privilege not a right and may be rescinded if abused.

• Total alcohol bans may be put in place during orientation, study and exam periods or at other times if required. This may be done by the House Managers or Central House Committee at any time.

Sexual Intimacy

• Sexual intimacy between residents and/or guests is not allowed at Central House. Partners of Central House residents (whether a guest or also living at CH) may not sleep together in the same room/bed overnight at CH.

Property

• No unauthorised access to the roof or other restricted areas.

• No violation of verbal and/or written health and safety directive(s) given by the House Managers or the Committee.

Security

• Keys and swipe cards to Central House are a main component of security. A resident shall not give their key or swipe card to any other person nor leave it outside Central House to allow other people access to the premises. Residents must ensure the main doors to the Central House complex are kept securely closed when not in use. These doors must not be propped open at any time (exception move in day). The replacement of a swipe card costs $25.00.

Fire safety

• For fire safety reasons no heaters (other than those installed) or electric blankets may be used. Special care must be taken to turn off items like hair straighteners. Please do not place anything on room heaters as this is a fire risk. Room heaters must be turned off when you are not in your room.

• Any use of fire extinguishers must be promptly reported to the House Managers. The cost of repairing any fire damage may be the responsibility of the resident(s) involved. Any action which causes activation of the fire alarm system may result in the person responsible being charged for any costs incurred (fire service charges are around $1500 for a call out).

Damage

• Insurance of personal effects is the responsibility of individual residents.

• Residents are expected to keep their rooms and common areas in good order, clean and tidy, and available for inspection or maintenance as required.

• All damage to Central House property must be reported promptly to the House Managers. Any damage caused must be minimised, e.g. spills must be cleaned up immediately. Those responsible for damage may be required to meet the cost of repairs. This includes, but is not restricted to, damage to painted surfaces caused by the removal of items which have been stuck to them.

• Firearms of any kind, dangerous weapons, BB-guns, fireworks, lighted candles or flammable liquids are prohibited.

• Central House residents may not keep pets.

Natural Consequences and Enforcement

• Any resident who does not observe the House Expectations and Rules may be required to leave Central House.

• House Expectations and Rules will be enforced by the Central House Committee or part thereof. Any resident who has a question or complaint about a House Rules should notify the House Managers or another member of the Central House Committee.

• House Rules may be changed as required and shall take effect after at least 7 days’ written notice to all students.

Complaints Process      

• If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by the House Managers or Central House as an organisation you are encouraged to raise your concern with the CH committee via email chcommittee@central.org.nz  The House Managers do not have access to this and all complaints will be dealt in confidence.

Your final acceptance at Central House is based on your agreement to abide by these expectations and rules.