Landlord pays $13k over leaky, unlawful abode for migrants

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Trott Dairy Limited, owned by Alan Douglas Trott, owns about 40 rental properties in Christchurch.

A Christchurch landlord must pay more than $13,000 after an investigation found vulnerable migrant workers living in a home in such poor condition it broke the law.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) investigated a Bishopdale property in July 2023 after receiving a referral from Christchurch City Council.

Exposed batts were just one issue with Trott Dairy’s Bishopdale property.

The investigation revealed a number of breaches “so severe” that the ministry said it proceeded to the Tenancy Tribunal, despite the tenants not participating.

The property is one of 40 or so rentals in Christchurch owned by Trott Dairy Limited, which is owned by Alan Douglas Trott.

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Vulnerable migrants feared they would lose their tenancy if they spoke up, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said.

Issues with the Bishopdale property included daylight being visible through gaps in the wall and ceiling, a leaking roof, guttering running through and overflowing into the dining room, exposed batts, and a lack of smoke alarms.

The property had a detached garage unlawfully converted to a residential unit, with extensive earthworks under way in the yard and what appeared to be industrial rubbish.

The tenants attributed a number of illnesses to the condition of the propery, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said.

“The tenants suffered a number of illnesses that they attributed to the condition of the property, which the landlord accepted was not a lawful residential premise,” said Brett Wilson, MBIE’s tenancy compliance and investigations team national manager.

Trott Dairy was ordered to pay more than $13,000.

“But they were worried they would lose their tenancy if they complained.”

All the tenants were “particularly vulnerable” as they were on temporary entry visas and reliant on the landlord, Wilson added.

“The landlord promised them a tenancy in a property they had been working on. This promise was never fulfilled and instead the landlord provided them with a property that was not fit for residential purposes.”

On January 30 Trott Dairy agreed it was liable for the admitted breaches, which amounted to unlawful acts like non-compliant tenancy agreements and failing to lodge a bond.

Trott Dairy was ordered to pay $3400 in exemplary damages and $10,000 in rent refunds.

It was also issued with a three-year restraining order by the Tenancy Tribunal from committing the same unlawful acts.

As it owned so many properties, the company “should be acutely aware of its responsibilities” under the Residential Tenancy Act 1986, Wilson said.