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A government-led inspection of student rentals in Dunedin has uncovered widespread maintenance failings, prompting substantial repairs across dozens of properties.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team (TCIT) inspected 53 properties in the city’s student suburbs during May and June to check compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and the Healthy Homes Standards (HHS).

Inspectors found recurring issues, including non-working heat pumps, missing installations, poor cleanliness at the start of tenancies, and various properties that did not meet Healthy Homes requirements.

The sweep resulted in 23 warnings, 12 improvement notices and four cases requiring further enforcement action.

Seventeen flats recorded no breaches.

TCIT national manager Brett Wilson said the team had been working directly with landlords to ensure shortcomings were fixed.

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

Inspectors found dozens of student flats that did not meet Healthy Homes requirements. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Most issues were remedied after TCIT intervention.

Landlords were able to provide evidence of repairs or work orders.

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

After the inspections, landlords undertook a raft of remedial work, including gutter replacements at 18 properties, two major bathroom renovations, three new heat pump installations, and one new waste unit installation.

Some landlords also offered rent reductions to tenants to compensate for the disruption and inconvenience caused by the repair work.

Of the 53 cases, 52 have now been closed, with one property still under assessment.

“One property visited by TCIT is still under review. The review determines whether further enforcement action is necessary,” 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 has also met with Dunedin City Council, the University of Otago, and the Otago University Students’ Association to discuss the findings and outline ongoing support measures for tenants and landlords.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.