Healthy Homes 2019 Compliance Regulation Deadline Approaching 1st July 2025
Understanding the Healthy Homes Standards: What Landlords Need to Know
Having completed over 10,000 healthy homes inspections over the past 8 years, Gail at Stellar Rentals knows a thing or two about the Healthy Homes Standards! As of July 1, 2025, all private rental properties in New Zealand must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards. Established on July 1, 2019, these standards aim to ensure that rental homes are safe, warm, and dry, benefiting both landlords and tenants. This blog provides an overview of the Healthy Homes Standards and how landlords can prepare for compliance.
What are the Healthy Homes Standards?
The Healthy Homes Standards set minimum requirements for five key areas of rental properties:
Heating: Landlords must provide fixed heaters capable of adequately heating the main living room. These heaters must meet prescribed efficiency standards.
Insulation: Ceiling and underfloor insulation have been mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Properties may require insulation to be topped up or replaced to meet current standards.
Ventilation: Each liveable space must feature a window or door that opens to the outside. Additionally, kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans to remove moisture effectively.
Moisture Ingress and Drainage: Efficient drainage systems must be in place to manage stormwater and ground moisture. A ground moisture barrier is required for enclosed sub-floors.
Draught Stopping: Landlords must seal any gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, and doors that may cause noticeable draughts.
Importance of the Standards:
More than 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and research indicates that the quality of rental properties often falls short compared to owner-occupied homes. Poorly maintained properties can lead to health issues such as asthma and cardiovascular conditions due to cold, damp, and mouldy environments.
By complying with the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords can improve the quality of their rental properties, leading to better tenant health outcomes, reduced medical costs, and fewer hospitalizations. Furthermore, warmer, drier homes are less likely to suffer from mould and related damage, protecting landlords' investments in the long term.
Compliance Timeline:
All rental properties must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards by July 1, 2025. However, landlords must ensure their properties meet these standards within specific timeframes based on tenancy type or the start of new tenancies. It may be that your property already complies.
Ongoing Responsibilities:
Once a rental property meets the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords must maintain compliance over time. This includes addressing any maintenance issues and keeping thorough records that demonstrate compliance, which must be available upon request, such as to the Tenancy Tribunal.
What Happens If You Don't Comply?:
Failing to meet the Healthy Homes Standards could result in significant penalties, including financial fines. It's critical for landlords to understand the implications of non-compliance under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Compliance in Tenancy Agreements:
For new or renewed tenancy agreements, landlords must include a signed statement detailing the property's current compliance level with the Healthy Homes Standards. Failure to include this statement could lead to fines of up to $500 for each tenancy, among other penalties.
How Stellar Rentals Can Help:
As part of our initial meeting, we will complete a full review on your property to the Healthy Homes compliance standards.
Having owned Healthy Homes businesses in both the Waikato and Manawatu, we are experts and will be able to provide you with the information you need for compliance.
We also will be able to support you through the process and make recommendations as required. Most importantly, with the ongoing management of your property, we will be completely up to speed on regulation changes and will be able to provide important information and updates as required.
By proactively preparing for the Healthy Homes Standards, landlords can not only ensure compliance but also enhance the quality of life for their tenants. For more information or assistance, reach out to Stellar Rentals today!
Phone Gail: 022 354 2739 or email team@stellarrentals.co.nz
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