Green Party calling for rental warrant of fitness to better enforce Healthy Homes Standards Newshub 15 hrs ago Seni Iasona © Image - Newshub Watch: Govt relying on tenants to enforce Healthy Homes standards, putting relationships with landlords at risk - Renters United
A petition launched by the Green Party is demanding the Government backs it s Healthy Homes Standards by introducing a warrant of fitness for rental properties.
The petition is calling for a more accessible way for tenants to hold their landlords to account without a stressful and expensive fight.
Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick says the Healthy Homes Standards are important but hard to enforce.
Bribery, filth and scumlords : The life of a healthy home assessor
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Tenants could be hesitant to try enforce Healthy Homes Standards, lawyer says Charlie Dreaver © RNZ / Eleisha Foon
Those advocating for tenants say it should not be up to renters to enforce the Healthy Home Standards - due to the power imbalance.
If a landlord has not complied with Health Homes Standards after 90 days, renters are able to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal for a work order. Photo: RNZ / Eleisha Foon
From this month, landlords have to meet the healthy homes standards within 90 days of a new tenancy.
However housing lawyer Machrus Siregar from Community Law Wellington explained there were complications if the landlord had not complied after that 90 day period.
+Undoctored
Media release from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ
Thursday 1 July 2021, 10:27 AM
1 minute to Read
From today (Thursday 1 July), all private rentals must comply with the Government’s Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (ARFNZ) welcomes the implementation of these new standards, which will make it easier for tenants to keep their homes warm, dry and healthy.
The Healthy Homes Standards ensure all rental properties must meet a minimum standard for heating, ventilation, insulation, draft proofing, moisture ingress, and drainage. With nearly 600,000 households renting in New Zealand, and research showing that rental properties are generally of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes, these standards are a vital step toward all Kiwis being able to live healthily.
Healthy Homes: Significant heating problem found as standards take effect Charlie Dreaver © RNZ / Dom Thomas
The government s admitted to a significant problem with one part of the Healthy Homes Standards, the day they come into effect.
It relates to the heating landlords have to install in apartments and new builds.
As of today, private landlords must ensure their rental properties comply with the standards within 90 days of any new tenancy.
There s been a major problem with the heating assessment - resulting in landlords buying heat pumps and heaters that are too large for the property.
The government s had two years to sort out the details, but now the responsible minister s been told there s a problem with the way properties are assessed for heating, and it should be changed.
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