Healthy Homes Standards Statement
This is a new form all Residential Property Investors must provide to their Tenants by December this year as acreed by the Healthy Homes Standards Legislation. It is a Form stating what amenities are currently in your Property and what needs to be done by the complying dates (I will list below what needs to be in this Statement).
The Healthy Homes Standards incorporate five aspects of a Property, which all contribute to a warm and dry home.
Heating:
All rental properties must have one or more fixed heaters, which can directly heat the main living room and meet a required heating capacity. Certain heating devices that are inefficient, unaffordable or unhealthy will not meet the requirements of this standard. A heating assessment tool is provided at tenancy.govt.nz/heating-tool, which provides a report that shows the minimum heating capacity required. It can be used to check if current heating is sufficient to meet the standard, or if it is necessary to install a new heater.
Insulation:
Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019, where it is reasonably practicable to install. Underfloor insulation needs a minimum R-value* of 1.3. Existing ceiling insulation may need to be topped up or replaced if it is not in a reasonable condition, and in most situations, existing ceiling insulation needs to be at least 120mm thick. If ceiling insulation needs to be topped up, it needs to meet minimum R-values as set out in the 2008 Building Code. * ‘R’ stands for resistance – an R-value is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow.
Ventilation:
Rental properties must have at least one door or window (including skylights) that opens to the outside in all bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, lounges and kitchens. The openable windows and doors must have a total area of at least 5% of the floor area in each respective room. The windows or doors must be able to be fixed in the open position. All kitchens and bathrooms must have an extractor fan that ventilates externally.
Moisture ingress and drainage:
Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall. The drainage system must include gutters, downpipes and drains for the removal of water from the roof. If the rental property has an enclosed subfloor, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.
Draught stopping:
Landlords must block any unreasonable gaps and holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors that cause noticeable draughts. Open fireplaces must be blocked unless the tenant and landlord agree otherwise.
There are some exemptions that apply to each of these standards, and there are also general exemptions that may apply to some rental homes. Further information about exemptions is available on the Tenancy Services website
From 1 July 2019
- Ceiling and underfloor insulation became compulsory in all rental homes where it is reasonably practicable to install.
- Landlords must include a signed statement with any new, varied or renewed tenancy agreement that they will comply, or already do comply, with the healthy homes standards.
- This statement is in addition to the existing requirement since 1 July 2016 to include a signed insulation statement with all new tenancy agreements that covers what insulation a property has, where it is, what type and what condition.
- Landlords must keep records that demonstrate compliance with any healthy homes standards that apply or will apply during the tenancy.
From 1 December 2020
- Landlords must include a statement of their current level of compliance with the healthy homes standards in any new or renewed tenancy agreement.
From 1 July 2021
- Private landlords must ensure their rental properties comply with the healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new, or renewed, tenancy.
From 1 July 2024
- All rental homes must comply with the healthy homes standards.
There is a lot of work involved to create these Statements with the Tenancy Services Form being 13 pages long. We have been able to streamline the Statement down for our Management Properties and are compliant with their Auditors at a charge of $100 + GST
If you manage your own Properties and need our help we can do these Reports for $150 + GST. Keep in mind that you only have until 1st December this year to comply with the law.
As always if you would like further information don’t hesitate to contact Dan 07 571 1025 or dan@taurangarentals.co.nz