July 31, 2019

Apartment to Rent
House to Rent
Metro NZ Property Management
Properties For Rent
Property Investment
Property Owners
Rental Property
Residential Tenancy Act
By: metronz

Healthy Homes Standards – what do they mean for me? According to the New Zealand Government, the healthy homes standards, which become law later this year, aim to improve heating, insulation, ventilation and drainage, reduce moisture and stop draughts to improve the quality of rental homes and to ensure all tenants to have a warm and dry home is a priority to help improve the well-being of New Zealanders and their families. Private landlords have just over two years to ensure rental properties to meet the standards to enable all renters in New Zealand to live in warm and dry homes.

when do I need to complaint with standards?

From 1 July 2019

The landlords will be required to comply with all Health Homes Standard (HHS) as well as renew tenancy agreement.

From 1 July 2021

Within 90 days, private landlord must ensure all their rental properties – except Housing New Zealand and Community Housing Provider boarding house tenancies – comply with Health Homes Standard.

1 July 2023

All Housing New Zealand houses and Community Housing providers must comply with the HHS.

1 July 2024

All rental homes must fulfill with the HHS.

The healthy homes standards

Heating

The main living area must have a fixed heating device that can heat the room to at least 18°C. Moreover, the new regulation also mentioned the requirement of heating device which some of the heating devices are inefficient, un-affordable and unhealthy under the heating standard.

Insulation

Ceiling and underfloor insulation must either meet the 2008 Building Code, have a minimum thickness of 120mm and be in reasonable condition.

 

Ventilation

Rental homes must have the right size extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms and opening windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms.

Drainage

Rental properties must have efficient drainage, guttering, downpipes and drains.

Moisture and Drainage

Rental homes must have efficient drainage and guttering, downpipes and drains. If a rental home has an enclosed subfloor, it must have a ground moisture barrier if it’s possible to install one.

Draught stopping

Rental homes must have no unnecessary gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors that cause noticeable draughts. All unused chimneys and fireplaces must be blocked.

As a private landlord, it is your responsibility that your rental meets the new healthy homes standards set by the Government. The purpose is to ensure all tenants to have a warm and dry homes to fulfill their well-being toward healthy life.

As Auckland property manager, Metro Properties Management, we also required all the private landlords to carry on in accordance with the new set of law to ensure that the properties we manage meet these standards.