Petition to introduce rent control

The Green Party is demanding the Government introduce a more accessible way for tenants to complain or seek help regarding issues with their landlord or property. They’ve launched a petition calling for a warrant of fitness on rental properties to ensure that the basic standards outlined in the Healthy Homes Standards are maintained. Currently, the best (legal) action you can take against a shitty landlord is taking them to the Tenancy Tribunal. Not only is this costly and takes time, but it’s also just a big fuck off job. Yes, I want my roof to stop leaking, but I want to do the bare minimum to get it fixed.  

A warrant of fitness on rental properties would, in theory, take away the stress and disappointment of living in filth while you’re already depressed as fuck. Guys, I know we’ve been conditioned otherwise, but it’s actually not normal to grow mould in your flat and develop chronic coughing. 

In 2019, the Government introduced the Healthy Homes Standards, which set minimum standards for things such as heating, ventilation and insulation. These standards require landlords to ensure homes are up to par within 90 days of a new lease agreement.  

While these standards are important, they can be difficult to enforce, says Chlöe Swarbrick.  

Chlöe is also concerned with the power imbalance between landlord and tenant, making it that extra bit harder to stand up for your rights – especially in your first rental. As students, most of us are either flatting for the first time or just too scared to actually stand up to our landlords. 

In the meantime, encourage your mates to read up on tenants’ rights and accept nothing less than what you deserve, besties! Check out your tenancy rights at tenancy.govt.nz.