Tribunal: Black mould leads to substantial compensation order

Kāinga Ora has been slapped with a hefty $8,957.50 compensation bill after leaving a tenant in a Henderson, Auckland house with black mould for two years and only fixing the rot when she moved out.

The house was so unhealthy, the tenant and her young son left the property a month before the tenancy ended and lived in her car because of the effect the premises had on their health.

While she was sick with respiratory issues, rashes and itchiness, her sister moved into the house to help care for her son. But when Kāinga Ora was considering alternative accommodation while mould remediation was carried out, it would not include her in the arrangements.

The tribunal was not impressed with Kāinga Ora’s handling of the property’s mould issues. The tribunal suggested Kāinga Ora adopt a set procedure that involves employing specialist contractors, sealing off the affected areas, using special protective equipment and considering relocating tenants while the decontamination is carried out.