Auckland tenants chilled by coldest winter in years

Auckland tenants are bracing themselves for a chilly winter in rental properties that aren’t insulated.

This follows a cold snap earlier this week which caught some people by surprise. Met Service says people need to prepare for one of the coldest winters in years.

Property manager for Ray White real estate, Jess Barnes, says rental properties don’t have to be insulated by landlords until July 1, 2019.

She says heating will be considered and could be expected to be in properties in 2020.

University student Becky Umbers lives in Three Kings and says her flat has some insulation, but she’s still really noticed the cold.

“We have a heat pump which is really good and quite affordable, but because it’s an old house none of the windows or doors seal shut properly so the heat just escapes.”

She says it’s been so freezing she’s been spending most of her time at university where it’s warmer.

Paris Reardon is flatting in Remuera and says her flat has an insulation inspection scheduled but worries when any action will be taken.

“It concerns me that landlords don’t have to have proper insulation until next year because our flat is already so cold and we haven’t even hit the peak of winter yet.”