If you're renting and living in a cold, damp, or mouldy home there might be something you can do about it.

Researchers from Otago and Victoria universities have unearthed an existing law from the 1940s designed to protect people from living in unhealthy homes.

They've just completed a study, which included reviewing a years worth of Tenancy Tribunal cases about housing quality.

Co-author Mark Bennett says it's surprising to find the tribunal overlooked the law in most cases where tenants complained about their cold, damp and mouldy homes.

He says better acknowledgement of the housing regulations should result in more landlords making the necessary changes.