Labour promises to ban no-cause evictions and improve rental safety
In this story Labour Party, National Party, Chris Hipkins
Labour has announced a suite of rental policies aimed at increasing tenant security. If elected, the party would ban no-cause evictions and require landlords to provide valid reasons for ending tenancies. The plan also includes reducing required insurance inspections and ensuring rental properties meet specific warmth and safety standards.
Key facts
4 facts
- Labour proposes banning no-cause evictions and requiring valid reasons for ending tenancies
- Proposed notice periods are 63 days for landlord move-in and 90 days for sale or renovation
- The policy includes adding curtains or blinds to Healthy Homes Standards
- Labour intends to limit insurer-mandated inspections to at least every six months
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
Labour has announced a suite of rental policies aimed at increasing tenant security, including a ban on no-cause evictions. Under this proposal, landlords would be required to provide a valid reason to end a tenancy. The announcement was made by leader Chris Hipkins in Christchurch.
The party plans to increase notice periods for tenants, requiring 63 days' notice if a landlord or their family intends to move in, and 90 days' notice for property sales, renovations, or changes of use. Currently, tenants receive a minimum of 42 days' notice with a reason and 90 days without a reason.
To improve living conditions, Labour would introduce a landlord duty of care to address serious hazards and add requirements for proper curtains or blinds to the Healthy Homes Standards. The party also intends to strengthen oversight of boarding houses and establish clearer rules for property managers.
Labour aims to limit the frequency of routine rental inspections by preventing insurers from requiring them more often than every six months. This follows a current maximum inspection frequency of once every four weeks allowed for landlords or property managers.
Where reports differ
- One report notes the current notice period for tenants is 42 days with a reason and 90 days without, while others do not specify current notice requirements
Compiled from reports by 1News, The Post, RNZ and Stuff.
