This tiny South Island town has the cheapest rent in the country – but there’s a catch

Tucked between rolling hills and forgotten rail lines, a small town in Southland has quietly earned an unexpected title: the cheapest rent in all of New Zealand.

With some homes listed for under $180 a week — and long-term rentals sitting vacant — the town of Nightcaps is now drawing attention from students, remote workers and cost-weary city dwellers.

But before you pack your bags, there’s something you should know: there’s a reason the prices are this low.

Ridiculously cheap – and still available

In a country where average weekly rents in major centres regularly top $600, listings in Nightcaps look like a mistake.

• A three-bedroom home with a backyard? $210.
• A one-bedroom cottage with a fireplace? $165.
• One local rental was recently offered rent-free for the first month, just to attract a tenant.

It’s not a one-off deal — it’s the norm here.

“I couldn’t believe it was real,” says Jason, a Christchurch web designer who relocated to Nightcaps in March.

“I was paying double for a shoebox apartment. Now I have space, quiet, and a vege garden.”

So, what’s the catch?

Nightcaps was once a bustling mining town. Its population peaked mid-20th century, but after coal operations slowed and services moved to larger towns, the economy stalled.

Shops closed. Bus routes vanished. And younger generations moved out.

Today, Nightcaps has a population of under 300, no supermarket, no petrol station, and limited mobile reception in some areas.

There’s one pub, a school, and a handful of retirees — many of whom remember when the town had three butchers and a cinema.

And while fibre internet has now reached the area, it’s not always reliable. Same goes for heating: many homes still run on coal burners or old fireplaces, and winter is harsh.

“You trade convenience for quiet,” says one local. “But if you like your own company, there’s no better place.”

A surprising interest from outsiders

Despite the isolation, the cheap rent has begun drawing a new kind of resident.

• Remote workers looking to escape the pressure of big cities
• Artists seeking peace and low overheads
• Retirees cashing out city homes for a simpler life

Some are even converting empty buildings into home studios or co-working spaces. There’s talk of turning an abandoned garage into a small café — though locals are cautiously optimistic.

“We’ve seen people come and go before,” says Margaret, who’s lived in Nightcaps for 72 years. “But if someone wants to stay, we’ll welcome them. We’ve got the space.”

Worth it — for the right person

If you’re craving nightlife, delivery apps and fast commutes, this isn’t the town for you.

But if you value stillness, space, and a rent bill that feels like a time machine to 1997, Nightcaps might just be your quiet jackpot.

Just be prepared: the rent is cheap, but the silence is real.