Before seeing the checklist, Victoria University politics student Giacomo Gambassi said he thought their flat would do "alright".
"It's cold. That's the first word that comes to mind. We have no insulation in here.
"It's not that damp, I was living in Kelburn last year and that was a lot damper. But when it rains, mould starts to accrue in places."
Flatmate and maths and physics student Matt Jones was also optimistic about their chances.
"I'd probably give this place a six out of 10, so liveable, but just. It's gonna be close.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it failed. I hope it passes though."
But when they went through the 29-point checklist, they were shocked to find out they only passed 17, giving them 58 per cent of the standard.
Gambassi said he was surprised and frustrated to find out how badly their house did.
He said landlords weren't willing to voluntarily make any upgrades, and that Government action was needed.
"We've asked for insulation to be put in, it hasn't happened, even though we've had a couple of assurances over the phone and face to face," Gambassi said.
"First one was 'yeah we'll have it in the first week', second time 'yeah we'll have it in before winter'. And then it was just, 'as soon as possible'.
"We did our own research and it turns out it could be done really quickly.
"A company in town does it, all they [the landlord] have to do is call up in the morning, they'll come over, survey the place, they could even have it in the next day, and the Government pays for half of it."
Gambassi said the flatmates had struggled with flu and recurring colds all winter, and suspected the house was part of the problem.
"The way I view it, is if it has to be mandatory in a car so it doesn't kill people, why isn't it for [housing]?
"If you're living in conditions like this for three years, people are going to end up really sick."
Jones was also surprised at the result.
"There was a lot of stuff I hadn't even thought of. Like the safety latches on the high level windows make sense now. I hadn't even thought of that before.
"And it just sucks that we had so much that failed, because I was kind of hoping that we wouldn't.
"I know a lot of people who are in pretty similar flats, so I don't think many would pass."
Despite the bad result, Jones said he wouldn't be bringing it up to their landlord.
When their property was listed, the landlord told them he'd had 20 applications within half an hour of the property going on the rental market.
"[The landlord] doesn't care what I think, if I disagree with it I'm out, he gets someone in who won't complain.
"I want them to be held accountable easier.
"I feel as tenants, especially when there are so many people ready to move into a flat - it's not blackmail, but it's easier to think 'oh I don't want to speak up' because if I get evicted then it doesn't bother him.
"He can get someone else in straight away, while I'll struggle.
"I feel like if there was some way I could feel more secure in my position to complain to him, and not get evicted immediately, that would be great."
Wellington's rental WOF scheme was announced two weeks ago, and went live on Monday this week.
No landlords have applied to be assessed yet, but the council estimates 311 people have so far installed the app to check the house for themselves.
The self-check app can be found on the council's website here.
How did the student flat do?
• Is there a functional, safe stove-top and oven? YES
• Is there adequate space for food preparation and storage? NO
• Is there an adequate supply of hot and cold potable water? NO
• Is the hot water at the tap running 55C? YES
• Is there a functional toilet, which does not have a cracked or broken seat, cistern or bowl? YES
• Is there a suitably located bath or shower in good working order? YES
• Are there secure or high level cupboards or shelves for storing hazardous or toxic substances out of children's reach? YES
• Is there an adequate form of safe and effective space heating? YES
• Do the bathroom, kitchen and all bedrooms have some form of ventilation to outside? YES
• Is the house reasonably free of visible mould, i.e. the total area of mould is less than an A4 sheet of paper? NO
• Are power outlets, light switches and wiring safe and in good working order? YES
• Is there adequate indoor lighting? YES
• Does the house have adequate working smoke alarms? YES
• Have the windows got effective latches? YES
• Do high-level windows have security stays to prevent falls? NO
• Are there curtains or blinds in the bedrooms and living area? YES
• Do glass doors have safety visibility strips? YES
• Does the house have ceiling insulation to WOF standards? NO
• Does the house have underfloor insulation to WOF standards? NO
• Is a ground vapour barrier installed under the ground floor? NO
• Is the house weathertight with no evident leaks, or moisture stains on the walls or ceiling? NO
• Is the house in a reasonable state of repair? NO
• Is the storm and waste water drainage being adequately discharged? NO
• Is there any water ponding under the house? NO
• Is there adequate outdoor lighting near entrance ways? NO
• Does the house appear to be structurally sound? YES
• Are there handrails for all internal stairs and all outdoor steps that access the house, and do balconies/decks have balustrades to the current Building Code? YES
• Is the address clearly labelled and identifiable? NO
• Are there securely locking doors? YES
