Early in July, Housing Minister, Nick Smith, announced significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that will see a greater emphasis on compliance. The main focus is clearly on the gradual improvement of rental accommodation.

The proposal is that by 1 July 2019 nearly all residential rent accommodation will have to have adequate levels of insulation in the ceiling and under floor. As early as
1 July 2016 all landlords may have to stipulate the level of insulation in walls, ceiling and under floor in new Tenancy Agreements.