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Healthy Homes Standards – What Landlords Need to Know

Ashley Edwards

All rental properties in New Zealand must comply with the healthy homes standards that will come into effect 1 July 2021. These specific and minimum standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.

 

KEY DATES FOR HEALTHY HOMES STANDARDS

All private rentals must comply within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy after 1 July 2021, with all private rentals complying by 1 July 2024. All boarding houses must comply by 1 July 2021.

 

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT 1 DECEMBER 2020

All new, varied or renewed tenancy agreements must include specific information about the property’s current level of compliance with the healthy homes standards – called a Compliance Statement.

The compliance statement is an addition to the tenancy agreement and while the property owner can attend to providing this assessment, the information supplied must be fully completed and ensure that the property complies with NZ legislation.

 Although we cannot legally undertake the assessment, we can have a professional assessment undertaken for a fee. This will provide you with a fully documented report with photos and comments on all areas. If the residential rental property is not compliant, the report will contain appropriate recommendations of work required.  All compliant properties will also receive a compliance certificate.

 

WHY DO WE HAVE THESE STANDARDS?

The New Zealand government advisers research shows that although many landlords do maintain and upgrade their properties, there are some that don’t which can mean that some tenants live in cold, damp homes which can negatively impact their health.

The reasoning behind the Healthy Homes standards is to ensure all landlords provide healthier, safer properties and therefore in turn, lower maintenance costs for their investments.

See more at https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/healthy-homes-compliance-timeframes/

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