Some city councils have provided an insight into the state of boarding houses in their area

Last Tuesday's Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington has killed at least five people -- with police still continuing their scene examination of the hostel.

The building was fully compliant with the building code and did not have sprinklers -- which it wasn't required to have.

Auckland City Council says only a third of their boarding homes - similar to Loafers Lodge - have sprinkler systems.

In Christchurch, boarding homes are grouped in with other types of sleeping accommodation -- of which 311 require a building warrant of fitness.

Of those 107 have a sprinkler system.