Labour Bill Helps Renters Save On Energy Costs

Labour MP Helen White’s Member’s Bill to make landlords provide curtains in rental homes has been pulled from the Biscuit Tin today, offering a practical way to cut power bills for renters as energy prices soar under the National Government.

The Residential Tenancies (Requiring Landlords to Provide Curtains) Amendment Bill would require landlords to provide insulated curtains or window coverings in rental properties.

“Curtains might sound like a small thing, but up to 30 percent of energy loss in an insulated home escapes through uncovered windows,” Helen White said.

“Right now, renters already struggling with the high cost of living are being doubly hit with additional costs: once if they buy and install window coverings, and again through higher power costs.”

The Bill would extend the existing healthy homes standards to include window coverings, making it the responsibility of landlords to provide them, rather than tenants.

“Because curtains are a fixture that stays in the home, it is logical that landlords, not tenants, supply window coverings that can help with insulation.

“With energy prices up nearly 20 percent under this Government, this Bill is practical way that we can put some money back in renters’ pockets.

“On the same day that National announced they are increasing rents for the country’s most vulnerable, my Bill is all about on lowering costs for renters.

“I look forward to debating my Bill in the House and urge my colleagues in Parliament to support it,” Helen White said.