The Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team (TCIT) in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is working with landlords and students to address a range of healthy homes compliance issues following further visits to private rental properties in Dunedin.

TCIT visited 14 properties last month and identified a number of issues including blocked gutters and gaps around external doors, broken windows or latches, mould and smoke alarms not installed correctly. The Dunedin City Council and Fire and Emergency New Zealand also joined TCIT on a handful of the visits.

Brett Wilson, TCIT National Manager says, “While most of the issues identified were minor in nature it’s an important reminder that landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties meet the healthy homes standards and continue to do so over time.”

Last year TCIT inspected 53 private student rentals in Dunedin and identified breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) at two-thirds of the properties visited. Enforcement action led to significant improvements being made, including multiple gutter replacements, bathroom renovations, new heat pumps and a waste unit installation.

“The latest inspections were at properties that were not visited last year. It was pleasing to see the work TCIT undertook in Dunedin last year has been noticed, including information and education to tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities under the Act,” says Brett Wilson. 

“We want to tackle the culture that living in poor quality housing is an accepted part of life for university students. The healthy homes standards are minimum requirements for rental properties and have been compulsory for all rental properties since 1 July 2025.

“Ongoing maintenance ensures that tenants live in properties that are warm, dry and safe.  This is especially important for more vulnerable   tenants, such as rangatahi who can be new to renting,” Brett Wilson said.

Otago University Students’ Association President, Daniel Leamy, says it’s encouraging to see the work being done to support student renters in Dunedin.

“Students deserve to live in warm, dry and safe homes, it shouldn't be seen as a rite of passage to put up with unhealthy living conditions. The ongoing checks will help ensure landlords are meeting their responsibilities to their tenants.”

A number of landlords and property managers were present for the visits and TCIT will work with them to ensure any outstanding non-compliance issues are addressed, and the properties are brought up to the required standard.

Back to News