The best and worst sides of student flatting were contrasted
in Dunedin yesterday, when several scarfie properties went up
against each other to determine which will be the winner -
and biggest loser - in the Next Top Flat competition.
There was plenty of obligatory offensive detritus on display
at some of the worst flats when the judges visited.
Smashed doors, lopsided floors, broken glass, food scraps,
empty booze bottles, animal carcasses and hides, and tales of
rats and squalor were in stark contrast to the orderly
neatness and clean quarters at the homes of those in the
running for the title of top tidy flat.
A George St residence, which is home to second-year students
Zoe Jacques, Anna Small, Danielle McRae, Chantelle Jackson,
and third-year Brad Brosnan, is a competition favourite.
The flatmates said organisation was the key to success for
keeping their home spick-and-span. Cooking and cleaning
rosters, regular tidying sessions, and a supportive attitude
towards each other were reasons why they should win the top
flat title.
"Basically, we're a tight-knit unit who love to flat
together," they said.
Vying for underdog status in the competition are three
student flats littered with filth and rubbish.
It was hard to say which home was cleaner at a Leith St
property, nicknamed the Penguin - the flat of the five
fourth-year males who live there, or the outside pigsty of
their pet kunekune, Chomper.
Penguin residents Jimmy Stewart and Andy Little said they had
been plagued by "big fat" water rats, which made their way
into the flat from the Water of Leith, which runs behind the
property.
The pair were apathetic about whether the leftover carcass of
a rotisseried animal lying in their backyard, the hides of
several bush pigs hanging over a fence, and Chomper's pig
pen, might attract the the rodents.
Mr Stewart took great delight in recounting to judges how the
flatmates used gin traps to catch rats inside their house.
"One of the boys had left his jersey in the hall and he
noticed it was rustling. When he picked it up, four rats fell
out from it and two ran down the stairs into my bedroom.
"We set gin traps up and later that night one went off in my
room, then a moment later another snapped shut in the lounge.
We caught some big fat rats."
Third-year students Natasha Hollows and Louise Amey said they
did not bother with cleaning rosters at their flat.
"We live with three boys and have a lot of parties. We've
cleaned the place about twice this year, but have got a flat
inspection on Thursday. So, I guess we'll all have to pitch
in at some stage," Miss Hollows said.
OUSA welfare officer Shonelle Eastwood said students did not
have to put up with substandard flats, given the surplus of
accommodation in the university quarter and around Dunedin.
Judges still had to view other residences before winners were
picked in the OUSA Next Top Flat competition, she said.
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