Rental warrants examined by minister

The idea has been championed by the Green Party and was backed up last year by an advisory group on child poverty, which found almost three-quarters of impoverished children were living in rental properties.

The Greens had called for such a scheme to enforce minimum standards for heating, light and insulation, and for properties to be inspected regularly.

Housing Minister Nick Smith said Housing New Zealand would have to bring its properties up to standard before it put demands on the private sector.

But he had asked his officials to do some groundwork on a warrant of fitness scheme for all rental properties.