Phil Twyford
Housing Spokesperson
24th October 2013
New Bill will make sure New Zealand rental properties will be properly heated and insulated
A members bill will be introduced into Parliament to make every rental property in New Zealand meets minimum standards
for heating and insulation.
The author of the bill MP Phil Twyford says “This is an idea whose time has come. Too many of our children suffer
respiratory diseases because of damp cold homes.”
“I believe that Improving the quality of the housing stock is probably the single most important public health reform we
could make.”
“The Bill will amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 to require all landlords to meet the new standards.
“Most poor people live in private rental accommodation and while there has been a generous government subsidy scheme in
place for several years there is no financial incentive for landlords to take up the subsidy and few have .It is time
now to set minimum standards.
“Labour’s comprehensive Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill will ensure every rental property in New Zealand is warm and dry.
“I am hopeful of getting cross party support for this bill as every party in the house has talked up wanting to improve
home insulation as a way of improving public health outcomes.”
ENDS