At the heart of New Zealand's rental properties lie the Healthy Homes Standards, a set of regulations enacted on 1 July 2019. These standards are designed to ensure every landlord is working to create a healthy home that meets specific criteria, guaranteeing a healthier, safer environment for tenants while safeguarding landlords' investments.

As residential property management experts, we will run you through each standard to ensure your property complies with the Healthy Homes Act. 

Breaking Down the Standards

Heating Standard

The Heating Standard necessitates all rental properties to have at least one fixed heater with a minimum heating capacity of 1.5 kW, maintaining the main living room temperature at a minimum of 18°C year-round. The choice of heaters is crucial, ensuring efficiency, affordability, and healthiness.

When selecting the appropriate heater, opting for a larger fixed heating device such as a heat pump, wood burner, pellet burner, or flued gas heater is usually recommended. However, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice in certain situations, such as in small apartments. You can use a heating assessment tool to determine the required heating capacity and suitable heating devices.

Insulation Standard

Since 1 July 2019, all rentals must have proper ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets the 2008 Building Code or is at least 120mm thick. Quality insulation will help prevent issues like condensation, mould, and dampness, which can make tenants unhappy and cost you more maintenance. So, make sure you have sufficient insulation to keep everyone happy and healthy!

The R-value of your insulation is the key to meeting Healthy Home Standards and measures the thermal resistance it provides. For rental properties in New Zealand, the ceiling insulation must meet a minimum R-value of 1.3. However, the R-value requirement for underfloor insulation varies depending on the climate zone where the house is located. New Zealand has three different climate zones, and the required R-value for underfloor insulation ranges from 2.9 to 3.3 based on the average weather patterns in each zone.

Ventilation Standard

Two key ventilation requirements exist when creating a healthy home that meets New Zealand's new standards. Firstly, rental homes must have appropriately sized extractor fans in both the kitchen and bathroom to ensure proper steam circulation and prevent moisture build-up.

It is important to note that any liveable space should have openings such as doors, windows, or skylights that can be securely opened to allow proper ventilation. These openings must make up at least 5% of the floor space and should be able to be fixed in an open position.

Moisture Ingress and Drainage Standard

Effective guttering, downpipes, and drains are crucial for rental properties to avoid any damage caused by moisture build-up. Additionally, if the rental home has an enclosed subfloor, installing a ground moisture barrier is necessary if feasible.

Inspecting your plumbing system regularly is a good idea to ensure no leaks or residues are in your home. If these issues are left unaddressed, they can cause significant harm to both your property and your health.

Draught Stopping Standard

When creating a healthy home and meeting NZ standards, landlords are mandated to seal unreasonable gaps and holes in walls, windows, and floors to prevent draughts. Generally, any gap bigger than 3mm wide would be considered unreasonable and prevent you from complying with the Healthy Homes standard. A useful rule of thumb is that if a $2 coin can fit through the gap, it should be sealed.

If there are any chimneys or fireplaces that are not in use, they should be blocked off unless the tenant specifically requests otherwise in the tenancy agreement. It's worth noting that the age or condition of the house cannot be used as an excuse for unreasonable gaps, which must be stopped or sealed up.

Compliance Timeframe

Landlords must ensure their rental property complies with Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new tenancy. This rule started on 1 July 2021, and as time has passed, the requirements have extended to cover all rental properties:

• 1 July 2021: It is mandatory for all boarding houses to meet the Healthy Homes Standards.
• 1 July 2023: It is mandatory for all homes owned by Housing NZ and registered community housing providers to meet the Healthy Homes Standards.
• 1 July 2024: It is mandatory for all rental homes to adhere to the Healthy Homes Standards.

Is Your Property Compliant with Healthy Home Standards?

In essence, the Healthy Homes Standards are a cornerstone in reshaping the landscape of rental properties. Embracing these standards doesn't merely fulfil legal obligations; it encapsulates a commitment to creating healthier homes. Contact Charlton, your Auckland-based commercial property management [RM2] provider, to embark on your journey towards healthy home compliance and ensure the well-being of your rental property and its occupants.

.