A bid by Labour Party leader Andrew Little to make it compulsory for all rental properties to have insulation, heating and ventilation has passed its first hurdle.
Mr Little's Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill passed its first reading by one vote this evening with support from the Greens, New Zealand First, the Maori Party and United Future. National and Act voted against the bill.
Speaking to Parliament, Mr Little said his bill would go some way to preventing children from getting sick in cold, damp, mouldy rentals.
He emphasised the difference between his own bill and changes proposed by the Government.
Parliament is already considering a Government bill which would require rentals with no insulation to upgrade to 2008 standards by July 2019.