Students Demand Rental Warrant of Fitness Amid Poor Housing Conditions

Students in North Dunedin are pressing for a Rental Warrant of Fitness following allegations that landlords are failing to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards in student accommodation. Since July 1, 2021, these standards require rental properties to meet minimum criteria for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, and drainage. Despite these regulations, many students at the University of Otago report living in unhealthy conditions that may be impacting their well-being.

Residents in various student flats have raised concerns about severe mould issues, inadequate ventilation, and general disrepair. Emerson Shaw and Mackenzie Barnett, second-year students living on Dundas Street, highlighted the poor conditions in their flat, which they rent for $195 each month. Shaw described the bathroom as a humid environment where mould thrives, stating, “Every single night when the dryer is on… you’re walking in there and it’s just wet.”

Shaw also noted the landlord’s compliance statement, which showed the flat was last evaluated for Healthy Homes compliance in 2020. Despite paying an additional $95 each per month for utilities, the students often find themselves studying late at university rather than returning home to their cold flat. This situation has left Shaw regularly cleaning mould from windowsills and ultimately having to discard personal belongings due to the mould infestation.

A group of third-year students living on Queen Street echoed these sentiments, with one flatmate reporting that persistent mould made her ill, causing her to miss mid-term exams. “I’ve been sick for like six weeks, and I feel like I’m just not getting any better because of it,” she shared. Other students on Constitution Street, paying $204 each per week, also reported extensive mould growth in their rooms, leading them to throw away clothes and shoes.

The Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) is advocating for a Rental Warrant of Fitness to provide students with assurance regarding the quality of their accommodation. OUSA President Liam White emphasized the need for such a measure, suggesting that a simple compliance sticker could indicate whether a flat meets the required standards. “I can’t see any solution other than a Rental WOF,” White stated, adding that it would instill confidence in tenants regarding their living conditions.

University of Otago Vice Chancellor Grant Robertson supported these calls, asserting that students should not have to endure cold and damp flats as a rite of passage. He remarked, “People are paying rent… it shouldn’t be the case that people feel they have to live in a cold, damp flat.” Robertson’s comments reflect a growing concern that the current situation is not acceptable, especially considering the improved standards established over the past few decades.

In May of this year, the Tenancy Services Healthy Homes Compliance Team assessed multiple flats across North Dunedin. White participated in these inspections and reported that many properties did not meet the standards. “I had a mate come back… and he said, ‘you know what? But I’m glad I did it. It was such a great rite of passage’,” White recalled, before countering the notion that living in subpar conditions is an acceptable experience.

Brett Wilson from the Tenancy Services Compliance and Investigations Team encouraged students to scrutinize Healthy Homes Standards compliance statements when considering a rental property. He emphasized that tenants should promptly report any issues after signing a lease and advised landlords to ensure they engage reputable companies for compliance checks. Wilson noted the importance of open communication and proactive maintenance to ensure properties remain compliant with the Healthy Homes Standards.

As students advocate for improved living conditions, the call for a Rental Warrant of Fitness highlights the urgent need for accountability among landlords and the necessity for regulatory bodies to take action to protect tenant welfare in student housing.