Dunedin Students Demand Reforms to Tenancy Tribunal System

University students in Dunedin are raising concerns about the effectiveness of the Tenancy Tribunal following a series of troubling experiences with landlords. Many students report difficulties in navigating the tribunal system, particularly when faced with issues such as substandard living conditions and withheld rental bonds.

Zoe Eckhoff, a second-year student at the University of Otago, recently emerged victorious in a case against her landlord after discovering her newly rented flat in a deplorable state. Despite her success, Eckhoff emphasized that her ability to pursue legal action stemmed from having parental support and the means to hire a lawyer. She noted that many students lack similar resources and find the tribunal process overwhelmingly complicated.

Upon inspecting a flat on Queen St last year, Eckhoff and her friends anticipated a typical student living experience. However, their expectations were shattered when they moved in just before the start of the academic year. They encountered numerous issues, including plants growing from the gutters, curtains covered in black mould, and a property littered with rubbish. Faced with these conditions, they deemed the flat uninhabitable and sought to exit their lease.

The subsequent journey through the Tenancy Tribunal was arduous. Eckhoff described how the process impacted her mental health and academic performance. “I had to take time off lectures; I had to get extensions on assignments,” she explained. “I missed out on a lot of things and classic student experiences.” Despite the tribunal ruling in her favour, the repercussions continued to affect her rental search.

Eckhoff highlighted the stigma attached to having been involved in tribunal proceedings. “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 the tribunal,” she noted. This disclosure can deter potential landlords from renting to those who have previously raised complaints.

Another student, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her struggle to reclaim her bond from a previous landlord. Although she vacated the property in June 2023, she received no explanation for the bond’s withholding. Like Eckhoff, she credited her family for enabling her to initiate the tribunal process. “I’m really thankful because my parents have helped out a lot,” she said, adding that the stress had led to academic difficulties, including failing a course last semester.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago, Grant Robertson, expressed his agreement with student concerns, stating that the Tenancy Tribunal often feels daunting. He noted, “Anyone in their lives who’s rented knows that actually the Tenancy Tribunal is a difficult environment, and a lot of people give up because it’s just a bit hard.” Robertson called for reforms to the system to enhance ease of access for students seeking to assert their rights.

For students facing challenges with their landlords, Robertson recommended reaching out to the Otago University Students Association, which offers guidance through the Tenancy Tribunal process.

In response to these complaints, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), which oversees the Tenancy Tribunal, stated that it provides various resources for tenants, including the Tenancy Services website and support through partners such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and Community Law Centres. MBIE also offers mediation services as a means of resolving disputes between landlords and tenants informally.

The ministry encourages tenants to address issues directly with their landlords promptly, suggesting that early communication can lead to quicker and more amicable resolutions. As students continue to voice their concerns, the call for a more accessible and supportive Tenancy Tribunal system grows louder, highlighting the need for changes that better serve the needs of renters in Dunedin and beyond.