The Greens have long wanted a warrant of fitness (WOF) for rental housing, but today they said it would be compulsory by 2019 if they were in power. Any formula for raising rents will be included in the initial contract and will he limited to once a year under the Green policy. He said most rental properties in New Zealand were warm and dry, though some were "not at a level we would like to see". Labour wants a broader set of minimum standards, similar to the Greens policy. A Labour bill currently before Parliament which would set higher insulation standards and also introduce heating and ventilation standards.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 17, 2017 02:48 UTC