NOTE TO SELF: There comes a time when sub-standard living conditions are no longer a novelty.

15th August - when the tenant calls for a flat inspection

*Leaves in the hot water first thing in the morning - actually metal flakes from deteriorating pipes.

*A weather-vain hot-water cupboard door that dramatically opens to give the lounge fresh air from the slightest breeze - acts as ideal indoor-outdoor access for local wildlife.

*A power bill that leaves you wondering how long you can cut back on food for until malnutrition kicks in - also directly related to how much winter wind is blowing past the hot water cylinder.

*Black mould on the roof of the bathroom due to unventilated showers and a dryer - a favourite of any asthmatic.

*Sinking foundations that are the perfect way to make everyone seem drunk at all hours of the day by simply walking around and having to adjust to the slant - furniture has to be arranged according to the slope to avoid falling off the couch, lack of blood to the head whilst asleep or not wanting those precious 21st wine glasses to topple of your shelves.

NOTE: This is the only photo of my flat that hopefully won't inflict nightmares - the open draws are thanks to the novel slope.

*Household appliances that can no longer fight the slant such as a contorted oven that cooks the wallpaper on one side and a freezer door that can help you choose what to have to dinner without even opening it (but that’s not a problem as the fridge and freezer is the warmest part of the entire flat).

*Sun - we know its out there, we just never see it from 9am onwards in the months of March through to November which ties in perfectly with time we are actually in Dunedin

*Rent - it doesn't matter how long you are planning on living in your flat, you pay for the whole year. 01/01 to 31/12.
BUT we were clever chickens! We came down in February to find a flat, saving two months of pointless rent. For some reason that evaded us, this flat had been empty since August the year before. They even said no rent until 21st of March! Bonus! It made the fact that the rent they were wanting was still above the norm not so bad if you did the math. No so bad for the end of summer that is. It wasn't until our first flat warming party that we starting to see and hear warning bells. The stumbling began from the moment people hit the slant but the psychodelic carpet was able to disguise all spills. Yet the peeling paint in one of the bedrooms still haunts its occupant after a story from our neighbour about the previous tenants drug dealings.

Anyway, the point of this was that I finally took things into my own hands and tried to let our woes be heard by the real estate agency we have to communicate to our landlord through. It’s been three weeks. At least the warmer spring breeze is a welcome one in our lounge. If you plan on coming to Dunedin for this course, just be aware that there is pretty clear line between expensive places with good heating, and not-so-budget places who believe in 'character building' conditions.