Greens launch rental bill

Nearly 4000 Wairarapa renters are in the Green Party's sights as they launch a proposal to update rental laws.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei (pictured) yesterday put a new bill into the members' bills ballot.

She says her Residential Tenancies (Warm, Safe, Secure Rentals) Amendment Bill would update New Zealand's rental laws to create minimum standards around warmth, dryness and safety that all houses for rent must comply with.

"Renting is a reality for more than a million New Zealanders now " we need new, modern laws that recognise renters aren't second-class citizens and allow families to put down roots in their communities," Mrs Turei said.

She said the proportion of Wairarapa households that rent has increased by 37 per cent since 1991.

At the 2013 census, 24.8 per cent of Wairarapa households were renting compared with 18.1 per cent in 1991.

"My bill creates minimum standards for rentals, so that families can live in warm, safe homes, and encourages long-term, secure tenancies," she said.

"Rights and responsibilities work both ways " this bill aims to create more great landlords and great tenants, and encourage transparency in their relationship with one another and their rental agreement."

She said she anticipated "widespread parliamentary support" for her bill.