Cheaper power not a general WOF achieves warm homes
According to the report by Sapere Research Group released on Monday, the NZ Power proposal of the Labour and Green
Parties does little to address the issue of fuel poverty. A household in Britain is defined as being in fuel poverty
when it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on household energy in order to be adequately warm and it is thought
that many households in New Zealand would be in this position.
“This report supports our stand that the focus needs to be on improving insulation and heating in rental accommodation
in order to improve the health of children and the elderly,” said Andrew King, Executive Officer of the NZ Property
Investors’ Federation (NZPIF). “The recent debate on a warrant of fitness for rental housing, which proposes criteria of
27 points, has taken attention away from this very important basic requirement.
However, research by Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman and her colleagues in 2007 clearly proved the effectiveness of
increasing home insulation and home heating in order to improve children’s health. In addition a further trial called
Warm Homes for Elder New Zealanders, during which participants were given $500 towards electricity costs, proved that
subsidized heating reduced the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ”
King says “We are aware that some tenants try to save money by not turning on heating and do not always know how to best
operate their homes to keep them warm and dry. If tenants act in this way, then even insulated properties will remain
cold and damp. We also know that mould will develop in well insulated houses unless these are adequately ventilated.”
Above all private landlords who are members of Property Investors’ Associations affiliated to the NZPIF know that
providing safe, comfortable and well maintained properties makes good business sense and tenants stay longer in
properties that meet their needs.
“Action is now required to improve those aspects beyond our control, including enabling tenants to purchase the amount
of electricity they need,” said King.
Ends.