TCIT visited 53 properties during May and June this year to check for compliance. All rental properties must meet the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act). These inspections also checked whether the homes met the Healthy Homes Standards (HHS).

Common concerns identified during inspections were general maintenance issues, including: 

• Heat pumps not working or needing installation
• landlords not providing a reasonably clean state of the property at the start of a tenancy
• properties not meeting Healthy Homes Standards.

There were 23 warnings and 12 improvement notices following the initial inspections. These explained what action must be taken to meet the required standard. 4 properties needed further enforcement action. There were no breaches of the Act at 17 of the properties visited.

Brett Wilson, TCIT's National Manager, said they have been working with landlords. This includes addressing concerns and ensure non-compliant properties are brought up to standard.

“All properties must follow the Act, including the HHS. TCIT ensured properties were fully compliant before closing any cases,” Brett Wilson said.

“Landlords have responsibilities throughout the life of each rental, including at the start of a new tenancy. This includes attending to maintenance and repairs in a timely manner. Most issues were remedied after TCIT intervention. Landlords were able to provided evidence of repairs or work orders.

"We also gave tenants advice about their rights and responsibilities under the law", Brett Wilson said.

Landlords made major improvements to their properties following TCIT's visit. TCIT ensured that properties complied with the Act, including:

• Gutter replacements at 18 properties
• 2 significant bathroom renovations
• 3 new heat pumps installations
• 1 new waste unit installation.

Some landlords offered rent reductions to tenants following the TCIT inspections. In some cases to reflect the inconvenience and costs incurred during renovations.

Of the 53 properties inspected, 52 cases have closed, with 1 case remaining open.

“1 property visited by TCIT is still under review. The review determines whether further enforcement action is necessary,” Brett Wilson said.

"TCIT will follow up with landlords who did not respond to our initial request to visit. This is part of ongoing monitoring work".

MBIE met with the Dunedin City Council and Otago University and the Otago University Students Association. The meeting covered the findings and MBIE's ongoing support for tenants and landlords.

Back to News