Mould and woodlice-Not fit to live in

by Amanda Russell

A married couple and their baby live in a one bedroom, $19 per week flat in Hataitai.

When the family first moved in they noticed the flat was damp and smelt mouldy but thought it just needed a good clean-up. However, they soon found that the flat was inadequately ventilated and this caused the dampness. They complained to the landlord and he said he would put a fan in one of the windows. "Leave it to me," said the landlord. But nothing was done.

These are the conditions that the family live in. The only opening window in the bedroom is rusted off its hinges so it can't be opened. The walls of the living room and bedroom are covered with water stains. The fibrous plaster walls have acted as a sponge and absorbed a water leak and consequently the walls are covered with green mould. The bedroom carpet has rotted away with mould. Woodlice crawl through the house. The ceilings are mouldy. The family's food turns mouldy, their clothes and shoes are ruined with mould. Even the baby's mattress is mouldy.

About a fortnight ago the mother could no longer bear to sleep in the bedroom so she and her baby sleep in the living room. Her husband is not so lucky, he works a night shift and has to sleep in the bedroom during the day.

The couple decided that they would go on a rent strike until the landlord made the place habitable. He told them if and when they paid their rent he would repair the flat.

The tenants contacted TPA who advised them to immediately lodge an application with the Rent Appeal Board. They also rang the City Council Building Inspectors who came to look at the flat. When TPA spoke to one of the inspectors he said the flat was not fit to be lived in and the council would be taking action.

When TPA contacted the landlord he admitted that he was aware of the shocking conditions and claimed that the mould had been caused by the tenants leaving the windows shut. He said "I have told the tenants that when they are paid up with the rent the situation will be rectified" He refused to accept any responsibility for the for the flats condition and said TPA had done the tenants a disservice in bringing the flat to the authorities notice as the tenants would now have to leave. His only concern was his five weeks rent the family owed him. It didn't matter to him that hundreds of dollars damage had been done to the tenants' belongings. It is ironic that he charged a $40 bond, yet it is the tenants who have had their clothes ruined.

It is difficult to describe how unpleasant the living conditions are. Once again tenants are forced to live in rotten conditions because of landlord's negligence. The mother is Indian so it is more difficult for the family to find a decent flat at a rent they can afford. But the landlord has no worries. He lives in one of Wellington's most exclusive areas, subsidised by exploited tenants.