Landlords could soon be barred from charging tenants a fee to move in to rental properties.
Housing Minister Phil Twyford has introduced legislation to Parliament that proposes to ban landlords from charging the up-front fee.
"This could make a real difference to struggling families," he said in a statement.
"There are significant costs associated with moving to a new rental property, which many families are now forced to do every year.
"When moving into a new rental property, tenants can face up to four weeks' bond, two weeks' rent in advance and one weeks' rent as a letting fee - in addition to moving costs.
"With home ownership rates at a 60-year low, this Bill recognises that we need to take action now to make rent more affordable so people can save to buy their own home."
The Government is planning further changes through its is review of the Residential Tenancies Act.
This could include limiting rent increases to once per year instead of the current six months, as well as other measures to improve the security of tenure, and is expected to result in new legislation by the end of the year.
Newshub.
