Dunedin rental check reveal improvements needed in student accommodation
Photo:
RNZ / Dom Thomas
An investigation has found Dunedin students often find problems with rental properties soon after moving in.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment inspected student rentals this week to check that landlords weren't offering damp, rundown homes.
From July, healthy homes standards will come into force, setting a benchmark for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture barriers, drainage and draught stopping in rental properties.
The tenancy compliance and investigations team have already visited 53 properties and planned to visit more next week.
The Ministry found landlords who had not ensured their properties were up to standard or reasonably clean before students moved in, but the problems were usually sorted out quickly.
Maintenance issues - including heatpumps not working or needing installation, and healthy homes standards not being met within time frames - were also discovered during the visits.
Most landlords who were contacted before visits were receptive, but the Ministry confirmed it would follow up with the landlords or property management companies who did not respond or declined inspections.
The team observed recent maintenance or improvements had been done at several properties, but most properties needed minor work under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
"Several students explained that their landlord had completed smoke alarm inspections in the past two weeks and left a copy of a healthy homes standard statement at the property," the Ministry said.
Otago University Students Association previously said many students were forced to live in cold, old, and mouldy flats, and did not speak out, fearing they would jeopardise future references or create more problems for themselves.
Students had been very receptive to the visits, and appreciated advice on their rights and responsibilities, the Ministry said.
A more detailed update on the state of Dunedin student rentals was expected later in the year.
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