Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman has been commenting on the viability of a rental warrant of fitness following the release of a Coroner’s report into the tragic death of a 2 year-old living in cold, damp conditions in Auckland last year.
Professor Howden-Chapman has just received a $5 million HRC programme grant to research ways to improve New Zealand’s housing stock – particularly rental properties – for the sake of our children’s health. The programme will tackle many of the health issues raised in the Coroner’s report and will include trialing the effects of a rental warrant of fitness (RwoF) that prescribes minimum housing standards for existing properties. The study aims to establish the effect of implementing such a warrant of fitness on tenant health, particularly the health of children.
Listen to Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman on:
Radio New Zealand
NewstalkZB
Read more about Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman’s programme in:
The Dominion Post.