Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand
QUEENSTOWN, 10 Gorge Road, Phone +64 3 441 0499, Fax +64 3 450 2223
WANAKA, 47 Ardmore Street, Phone +64 3 443 0024, Fax +64 3 450 2223
14 October 2020
Aaron Packard
Sent via email to [FYI request #13809 email]
Dear Aaron,
REQUEST FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION – RELEASE OF INFORMATION
We refer to your official information request dated 16 September 2020. You requested the following
information from the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC):
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?
2. In the past five years, how many times has the Council exercised its powers to issue a repair
or closure notice to property owners whose properties do not meet the Housing
Improvement Regulations?
3. How do you identify which rental housing properties to inspect under the Public Health Act?
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?
5. What information is available on your website or in your publications on rental housing
inspections provided by the Council?
6. What is your process for engaging with the Tenancy Tribunal to provide reports on the rental
housing inspections you conduct?
QLDC response
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?
Under the Health Act 1956, delegated Environmental Health Officers investigate complaints
of housing issues such as dampness. Cases are referred to QLDC’s Environmental Health
team (the Health team) when complaints are received – a visit is then undertaken and
followed up by an email or report detailing the findings.
The system to record this type of complaint does not allow accurate calculation of the exact
number of complaints received. As an estimate, we receive two to three complaints every
winter. Over the past five years, the Health team have not taken any legal action. To assess
action taken, the Health team refers to th
e Enforcement Strategy and Prosecution Policy.
Because the Health team includes officers who have specific training on advising on
unhealthy housing, many complaints have been resolved by providing practical information
to both the tenant and the property owner or Property Management Company.
Note that the Health team has also forged links with the Tenancy Compliance Team (within
the Monitoring, Enforcement & Environmental Team). The two teams occasionally do joint
visits.
2. In the past five years, how many times has the Council exercised its powers to issue a repair
or closure notice to property owners whose properties do not meet the Housing Improvement
Regulations?
Zero.
3. How do you identify which rental housing properties to inspect under the Public Health Act?
Via QLDC’s ‘Request for Service’ process.
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?
Requests made under QLDC’s ‘Request for Service’ process.
5. What information is available on your website or in your publications on rental housing
inspections provided by the Council?
Please see QLD
C’s Enforcement Strategy and Prosecution Policy.
6. What is your process for engaging with the Tenancy Tribunal to provide reports on the rental
housing inspections you conduct?
Our Tenancy Compliance Team liaises with the tribunal.
We trust this response satisfactorily answers your request.
Kind Regards,
Poonam Sethi
Governance and Official Information Advisor
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