05 October 2020
Aaron Packard
Via email:
[FYI request #13686 email]
Dear Aaron
Official Information Request – Public Health Act
I refer to your official information request received by Western Bay of Plenty District Council
(Council) on 6 September 2020, where you request information regarding how the Council is
using its rights under the Public Health Act to inspect rental housing properties.
The answers to your questions are set out below:
1. In the past five years, how many times has the Council used their rights
under the Public Health Act to inspect rental housing properties?
11
2. In the past five years, how many times has the Council exercised its powers
to issue a repair or closure notice to landlords whose properties do not meet
the Housing Improvement Regulations?
Council has not exercised the abovementioned powers in the last 5 years.
3. How do you identify which rental housing properties to inspect under the
Public Health Act?
When Council receives complaints about the properties.
4. What is the process for tenants to request the Council inspect their rental
housing property under the Public Health Act and provide a written report
on its condition?
Members of the public can contact the Council via our website or free phone number
to and make a “service request” to alert us of a potential breach. Council wil then
arrange a suitable day for an inspection and provide a report on the findings. A charge
wil be issued for this service of $170 per hour.
5. What information is available on your website or in your publications on
rental housing inspections provided by the Council?
There is no information on our website or in publications about rental property
inspections.
A3868402
6. What is your process for engaging with the Tenancy Tribunal to provide
reports on the rental housing inspections you conduct?
a) A service request is made by the complainant to Council to inspect a particular
rental property.
b) Council wil provide a report based on the inspection of the property.
c) The tenant wil receive a copy of the inspection report.
d) If necessary, Council wil receive a request from the Tenancy Tribunal to attend a
hearing as a professional witness.
Please direct any further enquiries to Greer Golding, Team Leader – Compliance
([email address]).
Yours faithful y
Rachael Davie
Group Manager Policy Planning & Regulatory Services