Full steam ahead for tenancy reforms

The controversial Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament - by 63-57 - and was referred to the Social Services and Community Committee on Thursday.

Parliament also voted (by 63-57) for the Bill to be reported back to the House by 22 June 2020, which constitutes a shortened Select Committee process.

Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi, who introduced the Bill, told the House that the rental market today is very different to the one which existed when the original RTA came into force in 1986.

Since 1986, homeownership rates have declined and 609,700 New Zealand households now live in a rented property, with more people including families and older people, renting for longer or even for life, he said.