Editorial: Tighter laws to improve rentals

Housing Minister Nick Smith announced plans to strengthen residential tenancy laws. Photo / NZME.

The Government's decision to tighten rental property requirements is likely to be welcome news for Tauranga's rental population.

Every rental property in New Zealand will have to be fully insulated and fitted with smoke alarms within four years, the Government confirmed yesterday.

Housing Minister Nick Smith announced plans to strengthen residential tenancy laws, including requirements for landlords to provide smoke alarms and insulation, and to declare the standard of insulation on tenancy agreements.

Some renters, particularly those at the lower end of the market, are at the mercy of their landlords when it comes to how well-maintained their homes are.

All home occupants - tenants and homeowners - would receive health benefits from a well insulated home.

Getting rid of mould and dampness that plagues some rental properties is a great move to reduce conditions such as circulatory and respiratory illnesses caused by such environments, and which can particularly affect babies and children.

So it is great that landlords are accountable to do this.

However, the moves may be expensive for rental owners and some may not be able to afford it.

If this causes some to move out of the business, there will be even fewer houses to rent in an already stretched market.