The best and worst flats may have earned their tenants prizes but have also highlighted the gulf in quality of Dunedin's rental accommodation.
A George St flat has won the coveted title of Dunedin's Next Top Flat, while a Brown St property - made famous by the film Scarfies - has the dubious distinction of being the worst.
Otago University Students' Association welfare officer Shonelle Eastwood said the annual competition confirmed the enormous gap between the good and the bad of the Dunedin rental property market.
It was particularly disappointing the award for worst flat went to the Scarfies property, which was a reflection on its state of disrepair, rather than its tenants, she said.
Students - particularly those straight out of halls of residences - should be wary of signing up a substandard flat, regardless of its proximity or price.
"It is almost a rite of passage to live in a horrible flat but it definitely doesn't have to be like that, because you can still have that student experience in a better flat without the condensation on your bedsheets."
Competition judges included Green MP Gareth Hughes, Dunedin city councillor Jinty MacTavish and deputy mayor Chris Staynes, all of whom were "blown away" by the state of some of the flats, she said.
But for every substandard flat with poor tenants and landlords, the judges encountered good flats with great tenants and landlords, she said.
Top flats
Best flat: 543/5 George St.
Worst flat: 49 Brown St.
Greenest flat: 8A Beaconsfield Rd.
Special mentions
Best landlord: 120/5 London St.
Worst tenants: 402 Leith St.
