Open AccessWhy don't owners improve their homes? Results from a survey following a housing warrant‐of‐fitness assessment for health and safety
Author(s) -
Chisholm Elinor,
Keall Michael,
Bennett Julie,
Marshall Anaru,
TelfarBarnard Lucy,
Thornley Louise,
HowdenChapman Philippa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12895
Subject(s) - warrant , safer , business , environmental health , medicine , finance , computer security , computer science
Objective : To assess homeowners’ intentions to make voluntary improvements to their homes following a warrant‐of‐fitness (WOF) assessment to highlight health and safety issues. Methods : We recruited 83 homeowners, including nine landlords, in Taranaki, New Zealand, who agreed to have a WOF assessment carried out on their homes. We interviewed 40 of the homeowners to ascertain what improvements they planned to make, and barriers to improving their homes. Results : Of the 83 properties, 76 (92%) failed the WOF. Of the 40 interview participants, 31 (76%) had addressed or planned to address at least one of the identified issues with the home. Participants were least likely to address identified issues with security stays on windows, and absence of ground vapour barrier. Reasons for not addressing identified issues included cost, and a belief that making the improvement would not benefit health and safety. Conclusions : Information about housing defects appears insufficient to encourage people to make improvements to their homes to meet a specified health and safety standard. Implications for public health : Better understanding of how particular housing defects pose a risk for health and safety, and provision of funding support in some cases, may encourage people to invest in safer, healthier homes.