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A couple who said a house was "unfit" to live in due to dampness and mould has had a claim rejected as they failed to adequately ventilate the rental.

In a recently released Tenancy Tribunal decision, Auckland tenants Jarrod and Tamzyn Moore claimed no human being should have been allowed to live in such a damp, mouldy and unhealthy house.

The couple wanted their rent returned and compensation due to the "inherent damp conditions" inside the house in Half Moon Bay, in the city's east.

Google Maps/Supplied The Tenancy Tribunal said the build up of mould in the house was likely due to it being "inadequately ventilated".

Jarrod Moore said he had suffered physical, mental and emotional trauma in the five months they lived at the property, the decision stated.

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"Something" had made him very ill and the trauma had affected his work and general wellbeing, he said.

However, the landlord, Leo Property Management Limited, claimed the mould was due to the tenants not adequately ventilating the house, and there was no "inherent fault" with the property.

Leo Property Management paid $1290 to have the mould professionally cleaned and removed at the end of the Moores' tenancy.

Carpet cleaners completed "extensive steam cleaning" of the house, the tribunal decision said.

The cleaners attributed the presence of mould to "poor or inadequate ventilation at the property, ie by not opening windows or doors to let the home breathe properly from fresh air ventilation".

The Tenancy Tribunal concluded the property did not suffer from inherent and excessive dampness as the couple alleged.

A property inspection report, carried out by an independent building inspector, found acceptable levels of moisture throughout the house, apart from in the second bedroom and laundry.

The house had a heat pump and HRV ventilation unit. It was in good condition, including the roof and external cladding.

STUFF The tenants wanted their rent returned and compensation paid out over the "inherent damp conditions" inside the Half Moon Bay house (file photo).

Evidence showed the likely cause of mould was the house being inadequately ventilated, the tribunal decision stated.

The tribunal dismissed the tenants' claim for compensation

It was not satisfied Leo Property Management had breached its obligation in allegedly failing to provide a dry home to the Moores.

The tribunal judgement also dismissed the landlord's claim for mould removal and steam cleaning costs because the higher moisture levels in the second bedroom and laundry were not determined.

It was not "fair" for the tenants to cover the cost, the tribunal said.