From 1 July, new laws in the Residential Tenancies Act came into force. The changes aim to reduce fire-related injuries and deaths and make homes warmer, drier and safer for the million New Zealanders who live in rental accommodation. Some of the changes are: Smoke Alarms From 1 July landlords need to have working smoke alarms installed in all their residential rental homes. Any replacement alarms installed after that date will need to have long life batteries and a photoelec