Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

surveyed said they would only insulate their properties if they were forced to do so. Cold
unhealthy rental properties result in high power costs and poor health outcomes for families.
The recently updated residential tenancy legislation which was developed under the last
Labour Government appears to be working well, and Labour will continue to monitor its
progress. However we disagree with some elements of the new legislation which have
disadvantaged tenants, and will amend the Act accordingly. These include the charging of
letting fees to tenants, representation for tenants in the tenancy tribunal, and the issue of
joint and several liability.
The accommodation supplement is a large housing cost to Government that has not
improved affordability. Labour will review the effectiveness of this subsidy, and it's synergy
with the income-related rent subsidy.
Labour will require all rental properties to be insulated to meet the NZ standard for
insulation by 2016.
Labour will begin work on developing a building 'warrant of fitness' for energy
efficiency in residential properties.
Labour will work with landlord and tenant representative groups to investigate option
for providing greater security of tenure for those who rent, and to promote
professionalisation of the landlord sector by supporting groups such as the Property
Investors Federation to increase their membership and activity in the sector.
Labour will amend the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act to better balance the
rights of tenants and landlords.
Labour will review the Accommodation Supplement and its effectiveness in improving
affordability and housing outcomes.
Building community housing sector capability and partnership
Re-establishing a solid base of state housing was an important achievement of the Fifth
Labour Government. From that base, we can consider how to move on, into solutions which
will impact further on the enormous need for social housing.
Currently, New Zealand continues to manage its social rental stock primarily from a central
government organisation and secondarily, to a much smaller extent, from local authorities.
Housing need has changed dramatically over the decades. While Housing New Zealand
continues to house our lowest income families, housing need has begun to spread well into
the middle classes with home ownership and affordable private rentals out of reach for many
families who now need assistance. One area we see potential in is a greater involvement for
the 'third' or community sector.
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