Insulation is compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019.
Ceiling and underfloor insulation must be installed, where it is reasonably practicable to install. It must comply with the regulations and be safely installed. Wall insulation is not compulsory.
Any new, replacement or top-up insulation installed after 1 July 2016 in a rental home must meet the regulations that will apply to all rental homes from 1 July 2019.
A landlord who fails to comply with the regulations is committing an unlawful act and may be liable for a penalty of up to $4,000.
The insulation regulations apply to any residential rental covered by the Residential Tenancies Act including rental homes and boarding houses. They will apply to sleep-outs depending on the design.
What insulation to install
1) If insulation was installed in your rental property before July 2016 an upgrade may not be necessary provided the ceiling and underfloor insulation:
Timber-framed minimum Ceiling R1.9 Underfloor R0.9
masonry minimum ceiling R1.5 underfloor r0.9
Over time, some insulation is known to settle. Provided the above criteria apply and the insulation hasn’t settled below 70mm thick, you shouldn’t need to retrofit insulation.
If any part of the existing insulation is not in reasonable condition, then the landlord must install insulation that meets the new standard required from 1 July 2016. Insulation installed before 1 July 2016 that is not in a reasonable condition cannot be repaired; it must be replaced with insulation that meets the new standard.
2) If ceiling and underfloor insulation was installed at your rental property after 1 July 2016 OR you don’t have any, you need to ensure the insulation meets the minimum new and topped up levels of insulation before 1 July 2019. It needs to meet the minimum R-values.
We have now completed a full Insulation Audit on all of our Management Properties and have emailed these reports/quotes to our owners. For those that don’t comply please get the insulation done ‘now’. Prices will only go up and the Insulation Companies will only get busier as the deadline draws close. If the insulation doesn’t comply by the due date you will be liable for a $4,000 fine because you will be breaking the law.