Standards for Rental Homes
Since July 2019, New Zealand has imposed a set of standards called the Healthy Homes standards, which apply to properties that are leased or rented. The property owners are the ones responsible for ensuring compliance with these standards. If you have concerns about the state of a rental property where you are living, speaking to your landlord about it should be your first step.
The Healthy Homes Standards
Healthy Homes standards cover five areas, and apply to properties leased in both the private and public sectors. These standards are in place for the protection of tenants, and to help guarantee the maintenance of properties in New Zealand.
1. Heating
2. Insulation
3. Ventilation
4. Moisture Ingress & Drainage
5. Air Intake Control
All properties must have one or more fixed heating systems, which can create an ambient temperature of the main room of at least 18°C and can be maintained throughout the year. Those types of heating that are inefficient, very expensive or unhealthy will not meet the requirements of this standard.
It is mandatory for property owners to provide insulation of the ceilings and underneath the floors. Depending on the location, there may be minimum technical specifications for heat flow resistance which the insulation must meet.
Rental properties must ensure adequate ventilation throughout the building, and must have at least one door or window that can be opened outwards in each room. Additionally, kitchens and bathrooms should have an extractor which provides ventilation to the outside.
Rental properties must have an efficient drainage system to remove rainwater, surface water and soil water. The drainage system includes sewers, pipes and drains to remove water from the roof. If the leased property has a subsoil attached, a moisture barrier should be installed if this is possible.
The property owner must close any holes, gaps or separations in the walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors that cause obvious air current inlets. Close the chimneys unless the tenant and landlord agree otherwise.
You can find more information about these regulations here: www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes
