The report said more than 40 percent of people who were told their homes met Healthy Homes standards still experienced issues with mould, dampness, or drafts.<\/p>\n
A Healthy Homes advisor on the K\u0101piti Coast, Jessica Keltie, said she had seen property managers let “quite revolting” home issues slide.<\/p>\n
“I know somebody who is a single mum with three high-needs children… Her house, the bathroom literally folded up around her because it was so damp and disgusting.”<\/p>\n
The report found more than half of those living in Bayleys, Quinovic, Barfoot & Thompson and Crockers homes had experienced issues with mould, coldness and draughts. Of the more than 3000 renters who took the survey, about 500 named their property manager.<\/p>\n
In Keltie’s experience, many agents were unaware of their obligations under the Healthy Homes standards and Residential Tenancies Act.<\/p>\n
She was one of many advocates calling for property managers to be regulated, as well as an independent system for Healthy Homes certification.<\/p>\n
The report proposed creating a rental warrant of fitness, awarded from an accredited source.<\/p>\n
In March, the government announced proposals to develop a “light touch” approach to regulate property managers, including a register and separate disciplinary tribunal.<\/p>\n
The proposed bill – which is still in the drafting stage – would not change realtors’ and landlords’ ability to self-certify for Healthy Homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n President of Renters United, Luke Somervell, said property managers were “rogue operators”.<\/p>\n “There’s no regulation. There’s no register. There’s no oversight or any ways to pull property managers up for dodgy practices.”<\/p>\n The report also recommended a Healthy Homes hotline, where renters could call up when they believed their home was not up to standard.<\/p>\n “If we can raise the bar, then the people who are doing the right thing will benefit,” Somervell said. “And the people who are the crooks and the cowboys, they will get pushed out of the market.”<\/p>\n With laws like no-cause evictions starting, Somervell said it was renters’ turn for legislation that gave them power.<\/p>\n Of the respondents, 25 percent said they had experienced discrimination from a landlord or property manager, often focused on family status or beneficiaries.<\/p>\n “Renters are feeling scared. They feel that the power balance is totally tipped in favour of landlords and property managers,” Somervell said.<\/p>\n RNZ approached all 10 realtors mentioned in the report, and a majority said they would support regulation in some form.<\/p>\n Quinovic chief executive Parrish Wong said he was disappointed to see the findings about his company, which ranked second-worst behind Bayleys.<\/p>\n “We take any suggestion that a property managed by Quinovic may not be compliant seriously.”<\/p>\n A room in a Wellington rental property advertised by Quinovic for $200 in 2022.<\/p>\n Vic deals \/ Facebook<\/p>\n Quinovic was one of multiple companies that already used an independent Healthy Homes certifier, which Wong said should be enforced.<\/p>\n “We’re not experts, we’re not builders, we look after properties. So you want to get an expert in there.<\/p>\n “Clear standards and accountability across the sector are good for tenants, property owners, private landlords and professional property managers.”<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4MJ9S0J_copyright_image_249755.jpeg\")
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