5. Question No. 5—HousingMARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Associate Minister of HousingQuestion No. 5—Housing5. MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing: How many complaints has the Tenancy Tribunal received from tenants in response to the new insulation laws that require landlords to install underfloor and ceiling insulation?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)): Kia orana Mr Speaker. For the month of July 2019 I'm advised that the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has received and assessed 119 Tenancy Tribunal applications claiming a breach in relation to insulation. During July the tenancy compliance and investigation team at MBIE also received 77 emails on potential non-compliance issues related to insulation in rental properties. It is encouraging to see tenants so engaged in taking cases to the tribunal. Since 1 July the Tenancy Services call centre has also received over 1500 calls from landlords and tenants seeking advice on insulation. Marama Davidson: Is the Minister satisfied that enough is being done to prevent situations like that experienced by the Gamman family whose youngest child was hospitalised with respiratory issues two years ago and had pneumonia this winter and who had to take their landlord to court in order to get a warm home and keep their kids healthy? Hon KRIS FAAFOI: As the member noted in her general debate speech yesterday a purely market-driven approach to rental housing has failed a great many New Zealanders as it created a tolerance for unhealthy homes leading to unnecessary hospitalisations of children and older people and avoidable lost school and work days. The Government is very pleased to see that the Gamman family were aware of their rights and have successfully taken their landlord to the tribunal to ensure that their property meets the minimum standards for rental properties. The Healthy Homes Guarantee Act strengthens these standards by ensuring rental properties are heated insulated and ventilated. Marama Davidson: What is being done to proactively work with tenants and landlords to get the estimated 100000 rental properties that were not insulated by 1 July when the new rules came into force? Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Kia orana Mr Speaker. A number of advertising campaigns and a range of supporting activity and initiatives have been completed to ensure that both tenants and landlords were aware of the insulation requirements in advance of the 1 July deadline. These included nationwide seminars working with sector and community groups a range of ads on a number of platforms regular communications with landlords on MBIE's bond database and communicating campaign materials in 15 different languages. Marama Davidson: Ka pai. Does the Minister plan to introduce a warrant of fitness scheme to provide better enforcement of these law changes and take the burden off tenants themselves having to take their landlords to the Tenancy Tribunal? Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Kia orana Mr Speaker. The Government considered several enforcement measures to limit non-compliance with the standards. Cabinet allocated $15.14 million in April 2018 to support the successful implementation of the standards. The approach that we agreed to in the first instance will focus on informing landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities. A comprehensive information and education campaign is currently being developed to raise awareness about the healthy homes standards that will assist compliance. Through this additional funding we have built up both the capacity and powers of the Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team. It has expanded its regional presence and now has offices in Manukau Hamilton Porirua Christchurch and Dunedin and the team is funded to support the most vulnerable tenants who do not have the ability or resources to take action against non-compliance.Marama Davidson: Does that Minister agree that people who are looking for a home to rent shouldn't have to worry about whether or not it is warm dry and safe; and wouldn't a warrant of fitness provide that guarantee?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Kia orana Mr Speaker. The Government agrees tenants should not have to worry about whether their home is warm and dry. That's why the Government has introduced the healthy homes standards which provide minimum standards for heating insulation ventilation draught stopping moisture ingress and drainage. Landlords need to be aware of their health and safety responsibilities under the legislation and we will be monitoring compliance rates to see if the regime is working as intended and whether further changes are needed.