Most rental homes flunk fitness warrant

More then 90 per cent of rental properties tested in a trial ‘‘ warrant of fitness’’ test have failed.

Landlords around the country allowed access to 144 homes, including 39 in Wellington, and 94 per cent failed to tick off all 31 targets.

The targets included a working smoke alarm, lack of visible mould, adequate hot water temperature, and adequate kitchen and bathroom facilities.

The trial was run by city councils in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, Tauranga and Dunedin, the Accident Compensation Corporation ( ACC), the Green Building Council and the University of Otago.

It tested whether the draft checklist was practical for landlords, assessors and tenants.

Spokeswoman Julie Bennett, of Otago University, said the 94 per cent failure rate was consistent across the country. But many of the failures could be fixed quickly, and most properties failed on only a couple of things – 36 per cent of properties would pass by spending between $ 50 and $ 150.

The most common failures included 40 per cent of properties not meeting a hot water temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, 30 per cent not having a working smoke alarm within three metres of the bedroom, and 37 per cent not having a fixed form of heating.

Wellington Mayor Celia WadeBrown said it was clear basic standards were lacking in many rental homes. ‘‘ Warm, dry safe hous- ing is a fundamental need, especially for vulnerable people, young and old.’’

Bennett said most landlords had welcomed the findings, and the team was now refining the checklist after feedback. The list now had 27 requirements.

‘‘ We are now going back to look at the checklist and criteria to make sure we have a robust and usable housing WOF for the rental market.’’

She hoped to have the checklist finalised by the end of this month. Plans to develop a voluntary scheme for assessing houses would then be developed.