NZUSA disappointed with accommodation inquiry

Student representatives believe an inquiry into student accommodation by the Education and Workforce Select Committee has not properly addressed all students concerns. The final report on the inquiry was released this month, and concludes that a newly proposed pastoral care code for 2022 is essential. Its main recommendations include increased for student accommodation providers and a larger student voice in decision making around accommodation. 

The New Zealand Union of Students’ Association (NZUSA) National President Andrew Lessells said that the Committee missed an opportunity to protect students by providing them rights under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). “Students currently have differing rights depending on their institution and have no clarity on what they’re entitled to. Putting halls under the RTA would solve many of these challenges.” 

Under current law, student accommodation is exempt from the RTA, but providers are required to provide extra services. Even accommodation that is not specifically for students, but is run by a tertiary education provider, can be exempt from the RTA. 

The findings of the inquiry states that requirements for student wellbeing in their proposed code will go well beyond what is required by the RTA. “We have, through robust consideration, agreed that if a strong and effective, specialised dispute resolution process is established as outlined in the draft domestic student dispute resolution scheme rules, it would better fulfil the intended aims of those who instead sought inclusion in the Residential Tenancies Act,” it says. 

Lessells was also disappointed that the Committee did not make any recommendations after an investigation into whether halls should be run for-profit. “Despite submitters overwhelmingly recommending that student accommodation should be not-for-profit, the Committee has chickened out of making a recommendation.” 

The inquiry says that submitters who discussed the option of not-for-profit halls understood that it could increase students’ fees and potentially limit the number of places available in student accommodation. “The majority of us think there should be a variety of operational models for reasons of supply and choice,” it says.