Tenancies Act to head to select committee for renters and landlords to have their say
Friday 21 February 2020
Source tenancy.co.nz
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill progresses to the select committee stage, getting renters one step closer to security.
The Government hasn’t mucked around by passing the First Reading of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, despite stern opposition to the proposed law changes. Parliament voted, by 63-57, for the Bill to be reported back to the House by 22 June 2020, which amounts to a shortened Select Committee process.
With the election set for September, the Government has a sense of urgency to push this Bill through. “Now is the opportunity for landlords, tenants and others who want to have their say on the Bill to do so through the select committee,” Associate Minister of Housing Kris Faafoi said.
“This Bill includes a series of reforms to improve the wellbeing of the 609,700 households that live in rented homes, and to provide a balance between the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.”
The latest critic to the Bill is Act leader David Seymour. He believes a number of the changes will only increase rent prices. “It beggars belief that, at a time when Kiwis are paying record rents, Labour is passing a law that will increase them even further”, Seymour.
Act Leader David Seymour (picture tenancy.co.nz)
“Labour was elected to solve the housing crisis, but they’re making it worse.
“In opposition, Labour talked a big game about cutting red tape, freeing up land and bringing down the cost of housing. All we’ve seen is new red and bureaucracy in the housing market.
“You don’t need an economics degree to work out that new red tape will increase the cost and risk of being a landlord and that these costs will be passed on to tenants in higher rents.”