A family has been awarded nearly $20,000 after their young son suffered health issues due to lead exposure in a rented house. The boy's doctor revealed that his body was still eliminating lead, arsenic, and cadmium from his system months after leaving the property. The family moved into the Napier rental in October 2024, and by February 2025, they were concerned about the boy's health. A Plunket nurse referred them to a doctor, who arranged blood tests showing dangerously low iron levels, vitamin D deficiency, and 'worrying levels' of lead. The doctor and an environmental health officer visited the house and found lead in the old yellow and red external paint, on most fixed painted surfaces inside, and in the soil outside. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora prepared a report, which the tenants, whose names are suppressed, gave to the property manager, Pukeko Rental Managers. The report stated that the boy's lead exposure was likely due to the paint in the house, and his age and low iron levels increased his risk. Despite receiving the report, the property manager confirmed the tenants could leave without notice. Another property was offered, but they couldn't afford it. They eventually moved out in July 2025, nine months after moving in and two months after the report. The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the tenants $15,000 in general damages, saying they paid rent to stay in premises that posed a health risk and caused harm to their son. They were also awarded $4,200 for breach of 'quiet enjoyment', $500 for moving costs, and a refund of their $27 tribunal filing fee, totaling $19,727. The house, built around 1900, is believed to be owned by a trust and is worth over $1 million. The property manager, Duncan Reed, ensured the house was compliant with Healthy Homes standards before the tenants moved in, but he admitted that lead testing was not a standard practice. Once he learned about the lead, he offered the tenants the option to leave without consequences. The health and safety regulator WorkSafe has issued guidelines stating that landlords are required to protect occupants from lead contamination arising from paintwork in the tenant's property or its fixtures and fittings. The guidelines also state that landlords, managers, and property owners should assume that paint on pre-1980 buildings is lead-based unless proven otherwise by records or testing. This case highlights the importance of regular lead testing in rental properties, especially for young children, and the potential long-term health effects of lead exposure.
