The healthy home standards became law on 1 July 2019. From 1 July 2021, landlords needed to ensure that all rental homes had to comply with the standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy. By 1 July 2024, all rental homes must comply with the standards regardless of when a tenancy began.
The standards introduced specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
Heating
Landlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room. The heater(s) must be an acceptable type and must meet the minimum heating capacity required for your main living room.
Insulation
Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory since the introduction of law. The standards build on current regulation and some existing insulation will need to be topped up or replaced.
Ventilation
Rental homes must have openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans or an acceptable continuous mechanical ventilation system.
Moisture ingress and drainage
Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. There must be a ground moisture barrier where there is an enclosed sub-floor space.
Draught stopping
Landlords must make sure that the property doesn’t have any unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, doors, floors, skylights which cause noticeable draughts. All unused open fireplaces must be closed off or their chimneys blocked to prevent drafts.
Exemptions
There are some properties which may be exempt from complying partially or fully with the healthy home standards. You will need to check your options around this.
Compliance statement
All new or renewed tenancy agreements must include the specific information about the rental property’s current level or compliance with the standards.
For further information check out https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/changes-to-the-healthy-homes-standards/
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.