Landlord Hit with $9,700 Fine for Unhealthy Home

Tenants win damages over faulty lock, broken oven, and fence issues.

A property management company has been ordered to pay $9,700 to tenants after a tribunal found that the rental property failed to meet healthy homes standards. The tenants experienced multiple unresolved maintenance issues during their tenancy at the Glendowie house.

Key Development

**Lawrence Buxton** and **Christine Druce** sought compensation for several issues, including damages, a refund of the filing fee, and a bond refund. The tribunal awarded them $2,400 in exemplary damages.

Specific issues included a $2,344 award for failure to maintain the back fence, $2,014 for failure to maintain the digital front door lock, and $724 for failure to maintain the house alarm.

Barfoot & Thompson Respond

**Anil Anna**, the property management division general manager at Barfoot & Thompson, acknowledged the shortcomings: “Our management of this home regrettably fell short of standards and the high expectations we set for ourselves, and we accept the tribunal’s decision.”

The company says it has since completed a full program of work to ensure compliance with healthy homes obligations. **Anna** noted this included improvements to record-keeping standards and a compliance audit across their portfolio.

Tenant Troubles

The tenants reported that defects were not investigated or repaired promptly after they notified management. According to their statement, they could not use the front door for 40 weeks due to a faulty lock, forcing them to use the garage or side doors.

Window locks were missing latches and were never replaced. A faulty seal on the oven door remained unrepaired for nine months. The tenants were without a working refrigerator for eight weeks, relying on a small bar fridge that struggled to cool.

Additionally, gaps in the back fence were never repaired, compelling the tenants to use makeshift solutions to contain their dogs. The tribunal emphasized the importance of penalizing landlords who intentionally violate the law and fail to provide signed healthy homes standards statements.

Healthy Homes Standards

New Zealand law requires all rental properties to comply with healthy homes standards, covering approximately 500,000 properties nationwide. These standards address heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping.

According to a 2023 report, almost 20% of New Zealand homes still do not meet basic insulation standards, highlighting the ongoing need for compliance and enforcement (MBIE).

The decision underscores the significance of landlords adhering to healthy homes standards and addressing maintenance issues promptly to ensure the well-being of tenants.