An Auckland studio rental listing has been removed from the market after it stated "no cooking and no laundry allowed", raising questions about whether the accommodation met minimum rental standards.
The Mount Roskill property was advertised as a studio for $250 a week, including water and power, and appeared to have a bedroom/living area, wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, a microwave and a fridge.
The property manager who listed the accommodation told 1News the listing had been removed. He did not respond to further requests for comment.
MBIE tenancy practice and stewardship manager Paul Coggan said landlords must ensure rental properties meet minimum legal standards, including adequate facilities for preparing and cooking food, with the ability to boil and bake, as well as applicable health, safety and Healthy Homes requirements.
He said landlords renting premises as a separate household must also ensure the use of the property is lawful and complies with local authority requirements.
"Generally, you cannot just put a microwave and bed, that has an attached bathroom and rent it out separately as a studio."
Coggan said where a property is unlawful or does not meet the required standards, landlords may be in breach of their obligations and could face enforcement action, financial penalties and orders to remedy the non-compliance.
Tenants may also be entitled to seek remedies through the Tenancy Tribunal.
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