Auckland Council strongly supports the government’s intent to make rental homes warmer, drier and safer, but thinks the government could go further.
In its submission to the Social Services select Committee on the Residential Tenancies Act Amendment Bill, the council recommended that the government
- legislate a wider range of minimum standards
- add random auditing to ensure landlords comply with the regulations
- require all insulation meet the current Building Code Standards
- extend the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy homes to June 2019.
Auckland Council’s Development Committee has approved the submission.
More support for renters necessary
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, who chairs the committee, said, “As Auckland becomes more expensive more people are renting. We absolutely support the government’s attempts to make rental properties warmer and drier and feel the bill could go even further to reach that goal.
“Cold and damp homes can have a detrimental effect on people’s health and quality of life. Poor health due to poor housing quality is preventable.”
“We are pleased to see the increased funds for more education for of tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities. Many tenants are reluctant to complain to their landlord so it is important that they know their rights.”
Rental properties must meet minimum standards
Councillor George Wood, who presented the submission on behalf of the council, said, “All rental properties should have a minimum standard to bring them up to modern standards. Too many people are living in unsatisfactory rental properties. In our submission to the government we recommended the bill was strengthened even further to meet the goal of decent homes for renters.”
The Social services Select committee is expected to report back to Parliament on the results of their consultation in June 2016.
