24 September 2020
Aaron Packard
Renters United Organiser
Email:
[FYI request #13756 email]
Dear Aaron,
Request for Official Information responded to under the Local Government and Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) – reference: 7521372
I refer to your information request we received on 10 September 2020 for the following:
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?
Once.
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?
Twice.
3. How do you identify which rental housing properties to inspect under the Public
Health Act?
Properties are identified for inspection either by complaints received or a Service Request
or from another regulatory agency.
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?
The tenant makes a request for an inspection, which is assigned to Council’s
Environmental Health team via the service request process. An Environmental Health
Officer assesses the details of the request and carries out an investigation.
5. What information is available on your website or in your publications on rental
housing inspections provided by the Council?
No information is available on our website or in printed publications regarding housing
inspections provided by Council.
6. What is your process for engaging with the Tenancy Tribunal to provide reports on
the rental housing inspections you conduct?
The Environmental Health team at Council contact the Tenancy Compliance and
Investigations
Team.
Please
refer
to
this
link
for
further
information
https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/mi/about-tenancy-services/compliance-team/
Yours sincerely
Angela Bell
Acting Group Manager Regulatory Services
Te Kaihautū Ratonga Whakaritenga