Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team checking Dunedin student rentals comply with tenancy law

The visits will identify any breaches of the Act and prompt action by landlords who are found to be not complying with their legal obligations.

Acting TCIT National Manager, Clare Lyons-Montgomery, says landlords must provide rental homes that are warm, safe and dry.

“Young people are a priority population for our team, as they can be vulnerable and unaware of their rights because they are new to renting.

“Landlords have obligations and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act and must provide a rental home that complies with all building, health and safety requirements in additional to tenancy law,” Clare Lyons-Montgomery said.

Landlords have responsibilities throughout the life of each rental, including at the commencement. This includes attending to maintenance and repairs in a timely manner.

All rental properties must also comply with the healthy homes standards by 1 July 2025. Landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties meet the healthy homes standards and continue to do so over time. All new tenancies from 1 July must comply with the standards immediately.

“This visit is an opportunity to change the perception that living in a run-down student flat is a ‘rite of passage’ and just part of university life. We want to make it clear to landlords what their responsibilities are and what the consequences of non-compliance are,” Clare Lyons-Montgomery said.

“MBIE regularly engages with student associations, including those at the University of Otago. This visit is another opportunity to encourage them to speak with their landlords about issues in their rental homes and then if they cannot resolve issues between themselves they can speak with us.”

Otago University Students Association (OUSA) President Liam White say many Otago students are forced to live in cold, old, and mouldy flats and their landlords must be held to account.

“We're proud to support MBIE’s flat inspections and hope to send a clear message: if you rent a flat, you must meet legal standards or face the consequences,” Liam White said.

“Students often tell us they hesitate to raise issues with landlords or property managers out of fear — fear of jeopardising future references or creating more problems for themselves. Even when they do speak up, many face radio silence or endless delays.

“Otago students deserve better. Warm, healthy homes aren’t optional — they’re the legal minimum. We back every move to ensure these standards are enforced, and through OUSA Student Support, we continue to empower students with advice, advocacy, and education across the academic year,” Liam White said.

If a tenant thinks the property they are renting is not up to standard they should speak to their landlord. If they are still not satisfied they should put their concerns in writing to the landlord giving them a reasonable time to fix any problems, or issue a 14-day notice to their landlord.

If the landlord still doesn’t fix the issue or satisfy the tenants’ concerns they can make a complaint on the Tenancy Services website or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to make a decision on the dispute.

MBIE’s Tenancy Services website provides information and tools to assist tenants and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities at every stage of their tenancy.

Tenancy Services(external link)