The condition of Dunedin houses will come under scrutiny for the first time next month when the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) will compare them to others around New Zealand.
BRANZ building performance manager Mark Jones said the association would be conducting its national House Condition Survey, and Dunedin would be included this time.
The study is the largest of its kind in New Zealand, assessing the state of New Zealand's housing stock to raise occupants' awareness of maintenance short-comings and building defects.
Houses would be randomly selected to participate in the survey, he said.
"The data collected helps by adding to the extensive database of house component condition, age, maintenance requirements built up from previous surveys which now provides a valuable resource for both researchers and policy-makers, as well as benefiting house designers, suppliers and builders."
Previous surveys were conducted in 2005, 1999 and 1994.
Mr Jones said the past two surveys involved the inspection of a representative sample of more than 550 randomly selected, owner-occupied houses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and a telephone survey of homeowners.
"This year's survey will build on the robust information gathered and will include houses from throughout New Zealand, weighted on population, to ensure an even distribution of data collected.
"We hope to include rental properties to the sample."
The national survey will be completed in the next six months, with results available early in 2011, he said.
In 2005, 80% of homeowners surveyed believed their house to be in a good or excellent condition. Unfortunately, BRANZ inspectors shared that optimism for only 50% of the houses.
The major defects detected were consistent throughout the three surveys and included inadequate sub-floor ventilation; deterioration of roof and wall claddings, timber window frames and spouting/guttering; and lack of earthquake restraints.
