Developing a multi-dwelling unit

If your new property development is an apartment, retirement village, office block or multi-use block, it is most likely a multi-dwelling unit, or MDU.

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There are two types of MDU developments

An existing MDU

If you are renovating an MDU and require no change in the number of connections, simply contact your broadband provider to get connected.

A new MDU

If you are building or completely refurbishing an MDU that will require new connections, please follow the steps below.

Getting your MDU development connected:

1
Register

It’s easy to register, simply complete our online registration form here, or call us on 0800 SUB DVN (0800 782 386 Opt 1). Before you get in touch with us, take a look at our checklist to make sure you have all of the information you need to register.

2
Quote and Contract
Based on the location, development complexity and the number of connections requested, we’ll assess the work required and provide a quote and contract for installing broadband and voice services within your development. The contract will provide details of what we intend to do at your development, along with any actions that are your responsibility. Both the quote and contract are valid for 90 days.
3
Accept
By signing and returning the contract to us, you:
  1. accept the quote and agree to provide full payment within 30 days of acceptance
  2. agree to the planned work that will be carried out
  3. let us know you understand our health and safety requirements. Your safety and the safety of our technicians onsite are important to us
4
Design and Build
Once we’ve received your signed contract and payment we will design and build the network in line with your development’s scheme plan. The design will outline the telecommunications infrastructure and architecture required to build our network to your development. To find out more about installing fibre within your development, take a look at our handy brochure here.
5
Clearance Letter

When your installation work is completed, you’ll need to provide us with your ‘as-built’ plans (the materials you’ve installed at your site), and your Land Title plans that you’re submitting to your local council. Find out more about ‘as-builts’ here.

Once all build and quality assurance testing is completed and passed we will provide you with a clearance letter. A clearance letter is usually requested by your local council before you can receive your Completion of Resource Consent Conditions (224c Certification).

We’ll also update our records within 20 working days of this clearance letter being issued so that your development’s new occupants can request services from their broadband provider.

Ongoing repairs and maintenance of the network remains our responsibility once the network has been installed and commissioned.

6
Connect
In your clearance letter we will provide a date for when you (or the new occupants) can place an order with your broadband or phone provider to get your new telecommunication services up and running.

Pre-built fibre

With fibre pre-connected, you can market your development as ‘fibre ready’. It also means faster connection times for broadband and a better experience for your new occupants.

Learn more

Useful documents

Guide to wiring homes for fibre

Guide to wiring homes for fibre

A handy guide on how to wire homes for fibre broadband
Guide to lead-ins and trenching

Guide to lead-ins and trenching

Helpful information on trenching and installing the lead-in
MDU agreement

MDU agreement

Allows Chorus to access, install and maintain our network
Guide to installing fibre in MDUs

Guide to installing fibre in MDUs

Helpful information on installing fibre in multi-dwelling units
MDU Checklist

MDU Checklist

What you'll need before contacting us about your development

Technical support documents

Download
General fibre network guidelines (1.9 MB)
Download
Guidelines for single-dwelling units and right-of-ways 01 (1.3 MB)
Download
Guidelines for fibre installation in multi-dwelling units (1.5 MB)
Download
Premises wiring standards (1.3 MB)

Explore more

Easements

Find out if you need an easement for your development

Develop with Chorus

Find out what's involved to get your development connected to our network

Pre-built fibre

Market your development as 'fibre ready'

Builders and electricians

Helpful resources for developing property with Chorus

Health and safety info

Learn more