“New Rental Home Standards Good News, But a Long Wait Away”

The Manawatu Tenants’ Union welcomes the Government’s release of Healthy Homes Standards, but warns that it will be a long wait for many tenants until the standards are applied.

MTU Coordinator Ben Schmidt states that “the Healthy Homes Standards are a great step forwards for ensuring that all tenants can live in warm, dry, and safe properties. It is common sense that all rental properties should meet a basic minimum standard.”

However with some tenancies not covered by the standards until 2024, many tenants will continue to bear the cost of substandard housing. According to Coordinator Ben Schmidt,

“We have seen tenants in shocking accommodation; with mould growing in their lungs, with windows falling out of rotten frames, and who have been forced to repair major draughts and gaps with duct tape. While some of these cases are already covered under existing standards, for many vulnerable tenants living in substandard housing the Healthy Homes Standards will be applied years too late. We need to take action sooner.”

The Union is concerned that vulnerable tenants will continue to lose out, and states that the Healthy Homes Standards should be another step towards a compulsory Rental Warrant of Fitness scheme. Coordinator Ben Schmidt describes how,

“Too many tenants are still fearful of landlord retaliation if they complain. We still need a compulsory Rental Warrant of Fitness scheme to ensure that all rental properties meet a basic liveable standard, without putting the responsibility on tenants to address the failures of their landlords.”

The Manawatu Tenants Union urges any tenants with substandard housing issues to contact them for support.

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