The $2.9 million Miller St project was officially opened in May. Photo: Invercargill City Council

Tenants at a council-owned housing complex in Invercargill have spoken positively about their new homes in the face of criticism they cost too much to build.

Last month, two Invercargill city councillors labelled a $9200 per square metre build cost at the Miller St units “excessive” and “exorbitant”.

The council has since clarified the amount related to an average spent at two sites - the $2.9 million Miller St project and Stirrat St - and included design, consent, construction, landscaping and basic chattels.

Local Democracy Reporting spoke to several residents at the Miller St complex who were mostly happy with their experience, although some issues were raised.

Joe Garthwaite had called the place home for five weeks and said he was paying $460 a fortnight in rent, which was manageable.

Garthwaite said the units were built to a high-spec, and commended the council on a "magnificent" job. He praised the view, double glazing, walk-in shower and large kitchen and bedroom.

Another resident, Ngaire, said it had been a four or five-year journey to get into a council house, but likened her new abode to a palace.

She was unfazed by rusty planter boxes which sat exposed under an open section of roof, but said her husband had suggested that area be covered in acrylic glass because the washing would still dry.

Green algae has developed on some of the brickwork, although the council says rust on the garden beds is part of the plan. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR

One resident who did not wish to be named called the garden beds “a bit unsightly” but understood the metal was supposed to change as it had.

They highlighted a range of issues including cold walls, mould on exterior brickwork, air blowing back into the room from a range hood, and the roof gap leaving entrances wet.

The units had “very good points” but required some getting used to, the person said.

In response to concerns, council manager Jonathan Shaw said housing officers would work with tenants to resolve issues, although some of those raised were part of the design.

The planters were made out of steel which was supposed to rust and the recirculating range hood worked alongside an airtight ventilation system.

“Over winter, there has been some green algae growth on the exterior brickwork of the units and we are looking at options to mitigate this in the future,” Shaw said.

The council was not aware of wall surfaces being cold and the units were fully insulated, he said.

The new homes were officially opened in May this year and replaced four units on the same site.

• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air.