Rental properties have to be fitted with smoke alarms and insulated underneath legal guidelines which have simply been handed by Parliament.
Smoke alarms have to be fitted by July 1 this yr and insulation have to be in by July 1, 2019.
Constructing and Housing Minister Nick Smith says the laws covers one hundred twenty,000 properties that do not have smoke alarms and one hundred eighty,000 that are not insulated.
The Residential Tenancies Modification Invoice was handed into regulation unanimously tonight.
It additionally strengthens the enforcement of present laws round heating, dampness, electrical security, plumbing, sanitation and air flow.
Dr Smith says the smoke alarms are anticipated to save lots of three or 4 lives a yr, and making houses hotter and drier will save many extra.
“These measures, based on my officers, are going to save lots of, when absolutely carried out, 129 lives per yr,” he stated.
“So over the subsequent 10 years this invoice is predicted to save lots of the lives of one thousand fellow New Zealanders and it is a measure that, on behalf of this Authorities, I’m extremely proud.”
Opposition events say the measures are inadequate, and Labour needs a warrant of health regime for all rental properties.
“It is one other grudging half-measure from the Authorities,” stated Labour’s housing spokesman Phil Twyford.
“It is one thing, nevertheless it’s not sufficient.”
NZN