Dunedin Students Demand Tenancy Tribunal Reform After Struggles

Students at the University of Otago in Dunedin are expressing frustration with the Tenancy Tribunal, claiming it fails to adequately support renters facing conflicts with their landlords. Issues have emerged particularly surrounding the condition of rental properties and the withholding of bond payments without clear justification.

Zoe Eckhoff, a second-year student, recently experienced this firsthand after moving into what she described as an “uninhabitable” flat. Upon inspecting the property on Queen Street, Eckhoff and her friends found it messy but expected improvements before their move-in date. Instead, they encountered significant issues, including plants growing from gutters, mouldy curtains, and general filth throughout the home.

Despite the alarming conditions, Eckhoff was only able to extricate herself from the lease after hiring a lawyer and navigating the complex Tenancy Tribunal process. She noted the toll this ordeal took on her mental health and academic performance, stating, “I had to take time off lectures and seek extensions on assignments.”

Eckhoff attributed her success in the tribunal to the support of her parents, highlighting that many students lack such resources and find the process overwhelming. “The cost for these students who do go to the tribunal is that they obviously have to tell their next landlord that they’ve been to a tribunal,” she explained, suggesting that this disclosure might deter future landlords.

Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, is still struggling to retrieve her bond after moving out in June 2023. She has yet to receive a valid explanation for the withholding of her payment and indicated that her parents’ support was crucial in pursuing the Tenancy Tribunal process. “I actually failed a paper last semester because of all of this,” she revealed.

In response to these concerns, Grant Robertson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago, has called for reforms to the Tenancy Tribunal, acknowledging that many students find it challenging to navigate the system. He remarked, “I think anyone in their lives who’s rented knows that actually the Tenancy Tribunal is a difficult environment.” Robertson emphasized the need for systemic changes to ensure renters can uphold their rights more easily.

The Otago University Students Association is positioned as a helpful resource for students facing tenancy issues, offering guidance on navigating the tribunal process.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which oversees the Tenancy Tribunal, responded to these concerns, stating that a variety of information and support services are available for tenants, including the Tenancy Services website and the MBIE Service Centre. The ministry also highlighted its collaboration with organizations representing both landlords and tenants, such as the Otago University Students Association.

MBIE encourages tenants to engage directly with their landlords as soon as issues arise, aiming to facilitate quicker resolutions.

As students like Eckhoff and her peers continue to advocate for change, their experiences shed light on the broader challenges renters face in Dunedin and beyond. The call for reform resonates not just within academic circles but also within the wider community, highlighting the urgent need for a system that effectively protects tenant rights.