How A Damp Rental Led To A $13,000 Tenancy Tribunal Payout

Mould on the walls is bad enough, but what happens when vermin and droppings are reportedly falling from the ceiling onto kids’ beds and the rent still has to be paid? We sit down with Jessica Kelty from Strive Kind to walk through a confronting Auckland case study that wrapped up around April, where a pregnant single mum with three boys fought to prove her rental was unhealthy. The final outcome included a $13,000 payout, but the bigger story is what it took to get there and why so many tenants never reach that point. We talk plainly about tenant rights in New Zealand, the Healthy Homes Standards, and why enforcement can feel disconnected from real life. You’ll hear why “just move out” is not practical advice in a rental shortage, especially once you factor in bond, moving costs, schooling, and the fear of a bad reference. We also dig into the power imbalance that can turn renting into a fear-based relationship, where speaking up risks retaliation, notice, or losing the roof over your head. From there we look at the role of property managers as the layer between landlords and tenants, and what can go wrong when property management is inconsistent or poorly regulated. We also question what a Healthy Homes compliance report really means if assessors are not consistently trained or held to a clear compliance system. Our goal is not landlord bashing, it is shining a torch on the gaps so more homes are dry, safe, and liveable. If this matters to you, share the episode with someone who rents or owns a rental, and leave a review so more New Zealanders can find these conversations. What do you think should change first?Send us Fan Mail Support the showBuy your first home in NZ Weekly Webinars You thought it's not possible or the dream is too far away? Come to my webinar and I will show you, you are much closer to your dream, than you think you are!Join Here - https://bit.ly/4m9SL72