Meth contamination regulations proposed

The Government has released plans to regulate methamphetamine contamination in rental properties.

The proposed regulations would include establishing maximum acceptable levels – at which point meth residue becomes contamination, processes for testing (including when to test), and clarification around decontamination levels and processes for rental properties.

Public feedback on the proposals is being sought from Tuesday 29 November 2022 to Monday 20 February 2023, with the regulations expected to take effect by mid-2024.

Read more about the proposed regulations and give your feedback

Ending a tenancy due to family violence or landlord assault

The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 was amended in 2020 to include changes that:

• enable tenants to withdraw from a tenancy by giving at least two days' written notice to a landlord where a tenant has been subjected to family violence while a tenant
• enable landlords to terminate a tenancy with at least 14 days' written notice where the tenant physically assaults the landlord, the owner, a member of the landlord's or owners' family, or the landlord's agent.

Currently these provisions can be used, but regulations to support them will come into effect on 29 December 2022, providing further clarity and guidance on how to use the provisions.

More information on the new regulations, the approved forms you'll need to complete, and other templates you may wish to use, are available on the Tenancy Services website.

Pools at rental properties - know your responsibilities

If you have a pool at your rental property, or are a tenant who is thinking about putting up a portable one, make sure you understand your responsibilities and do your research first.

Swimming pools – including portable pools, above ground or in-ground pools – and spa pools, must have a barrier to keep children safe. There are compliance requirements (including inspections by an independent qualified pool inspector or your local council every 3 years) as part of the Building Act 2004.

Read more about your responsibilities for pool safety and maintenance

Changes to healthy homes compliance dates

The Government has extended healthy homes standards compliance dates for private landlords, Kāinga Ora and Community Housing Providers who have not yet been required to meet the standards.

The changes took effect on 26 November 2022, and are as follows:

• For private landlords who have not yet been required to meet the standards, the timeframe for compliance for a new or renewed tenancy increases from 90 days to 120 days.
• The final date by which all private landlords must comply has moved from 1 July 2024 to 1 July 2025.
• For Kāinga Ora and Community housing providers, the deadline for compliance has moved from 1 July 2023 to 1 July 2024.

The new timeframes will ensure the rental sector achieves compliance with the healthy homes standards, while recognising the impact that COVID-19 has had on implementation in recent years.

For more information about the changes:

Healthy homes standards - Tenancy Services
Healthy homes standards - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Want to know what a mediation or tribunal hearing looks like?

Videos about mediation and Tenancy Tribunal hearings are now available in the Disputes section of our website.

These short recordings provide insight into what you can expect if you're considering applying for (or are scheduled to attend) mediation or a Tenancy Tribunal hearing.

The videos cover the following topics:

What is mediation?
Why mediation?
What happens in a mediation
When is a Tribunal hearing needed?
How to prepare for a hearing
What happens in a hearing?