Labour would ban no-cause evictions and give tenants more notice to leave their homes if it wins next week’s election, as the party makes its pitch to renters.
Under the policy, landlords would need a valid reason to end a tenancy.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said tenants who did the right thing should be able to stay put.
“Everyone deserves a place to call home. If you pay your rent and look after your home, you should have the security of knowing you can stay there,” he said.
Labour banned no-cause evictions while in government, but the coalition reinstated them this term.
“National brought back no-cause evictions, leaving families at risk of being forced to move even when they’ve done nothing wrong,” Hipkins said.
“That means extra costs, the stress of finding somewhere new and potentially changing their children’s school.”
Tenants would also get more warning before having to move: 63 days’ notice when a landlord or their family wants to move in, and 90 days for a sale, renovation or change of use.
Warmer, safer rentals
Labour would introduce a duty of care requiring landlords to address serious hazards, and add proper curtains or blinds to the Healthy Homes Standards.
The party also plans to stop insurers requiring routine rental inspections more often than every six months, set clear rules for property managers, and strengthen oversight of boarding houses.
Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said renters deserved a fair deal.
“Renting shouldn’t mean putting your life on hold. Families should be able to settle into their communities, keep their kids in the same school and feel confident about their future,” he said.
The renting changes sit alongside Labour’s wider housing plan, which would expand First Home Loans so more people could buy with a 5% deposit, introduce a rent-to-buy pathway for eligible families, and restart Kāinga Ora’s building programme.
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