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2014 is the second year OUSA has held the Landlord Awards, previously named the Best/Worst Flat Awards. The change in name is intended to “place pressure on landlords to provide quality rental accommodation,” whilst also “showcasing landlords who do a great job in promoting student wellbeing,” says Philippa Keaney, OUSA Advocate and Student Representative Coordinator.

Critic spoke to Jeremy Spruyt of 75 Clyde Street, who is one of the “lucky winners” of the Worst Landlord category. The flat received a Velvet Burger feed and $200 towards a flat clean, alongside $5,000 worth of insulation through the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes programme. Their landlord was invited to lunch with OUSA Student Support, but unfortunately he declined the offer. The Best Landlord received a pamper pack and the tenants of the flat were also awarded with a Velvet Burger meal each and $200 towards their power bill.

Spruyt is quick to stress that, despite the award, his flat is “definitely not the worst” on the Otago campus. “Students don’t feel secure enough to speak out against their landlord, [so] nothing ever gets fixed,” comments Spruyt. “I think that the programme has so much potential to help students; all they need to do is be vocal about it.”

When judging the self-nominated entrants, OUSA’s criteria consists of a number of factors, including: external appearance; landlord responsiveness and communication; heating; quality of appliances/furnishings; security; overall condition of rooms; and the amount of mould and/or dampness, as is so often present in Dunedin flats.

For students seeking refuge from the Dunedin winter, OUSA Student Support is happy to provide assistance. “[We] help the students fill out the applications and talk to their landlords,” says Keaney. “Student tenants need to have a Community Services card and evidence that insulation will benefit them in terms of their health,” she says. Students just have to see a nurse and they will be able to ask for a medical letter of support.

Spruyt described OUSA’s support as “monumental,” making the installation of insulation an “absolute breeze.” We’re feeling the improvement already,” claims the happier tenant. She encourages other students seeking warmth to look to OUSA for support: “If we can fix the issues with our flat so easily, surely with the right backing, others can do the same.”