Labour is promising to ban no-cause evictions, extend notice periods for tenants and require curtains or blinds in rental homes as part of its housing policy.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticised National’s reinstatement of no-cause evictions, saying families risked being forced to move despite having done nothing wrong.

“That means extra costs, the stress of finding somewhere new and potentially changing their children’s school.”

Under Labour’s proposals, landlords would need a valid reason to end a tenancy. Tenants would receive 63 days’ notice when a landlord or their family wanted to move in, and 90 days for a sale, renovation or change of use.

The party would also retain and enforce the limit of one rent increase every 12 months.

Proposed changes to the Healthy Homes Standards would require proper curtains or blinds, while a new duty of care would require landlords to keep rental properties safe and fix serious hazards.

Labour would stop insurers requiring routine rental inspections more frequently than every six months, set clearer rules for property managers and strengthen oversight of boarding houses.

Its policy also includes requiring landlords, including Kāinga Ora, to act on serious anti-social behaviour affecting neighbours.

Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said the changes would help families put down roots.

“Renting shouldn’t mean putting your life on hold. Families should be able to settle into their communities, keep their kids in the same school and feel confident about their future.”

The proposals form part of Labour’s wider housing plan, which includes expanding First Home Loans to help more buyers purchase with a five percent deposit, introducing a rent-to-buy pathway for eligible families and restarting Kāinga Ora’s building programme.

The party also proposes a Crown guarantee for community housing providers to help them borrow more cheaply and build more homes.