Trust welcomes standards to help Kiwi rental properties be warm and dry

Earlier today, Sustainability Trust hosted Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford as he announced the opening of consultation on standards to make Kiwi rental properties warmer and drier.

The proposed standards will set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage and draught stopping in New Zealand residential rental properties.

“Having these standards in place will help bring our rental housing into the 21st century — really improving the warmth and dryness of rental homes. Over one-third of New Zealanders live in rental homes — and many are too cold, damp and mouldy. It is important regulations exist to set a minimum standard for landlords to comply with,” says Phil Squire, Sustainability Trust Chief Executive.

“Sustainability Trust has worked in the healthy housing area for fifteen years. We see the effects of cold, damp housing on the lives of vulnerable tenants on a daily basis. Our assessors see families struggling to heat their home to a healthy standard, homes with no adequate heating, minimal ventilation and lack of proper insulation. We see a lot of mouldy, damp homes causing ongoing respiratory and other health issues.

“Many landlords are doing the right thing by improving the warmth and dryness of their properties. But having standards in force will help ensure all landlords are providing healthy homes to tenants.

“Addressing New Zealand's poor quality housing stock is complex. However, with Government leadership, regional collaboration and local action from organisations such as Sustainability Trust, we are confident all Kiwis will be living in warm, dry and healthy homes in the future.

“We encourage landlords, tenants and other interested parties to submit on the proposed Government standards,” says Phil Squire.

Consultation is open till 6pm, 22 October 2018. The standards are part of regulations underpinning the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act — and must be in place by 1 July 2019.

The consultation discussion document and an online survey are available at www.mbie.govt.nz/healthy-homes.

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