Bringing rentals up to standard

Codewords 98: December 2020

This article is published in conjunction with Tenancy Services.

New Healthy Home Standards for rental properties in New Zealand became law on 1 July 2019. The five standards set out specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.

As the deadline for compliance with the standards is fast approaching, when working at a client’s property, you might get asked some questions about the standards and what landlords need to do to make sure their properties comply.

From 1 July 2021, all private rental properties must comply with the standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy.

Responsibility for meeting these standards sits with the landlord of the property and, if they haven’t already, landlords should now be thinking about the work that needs to be completed to ensure their rental properties are compliant with the standards by the deadline.

Tenancy Services’ website(external link) has a wealth of easy-to-understand information about the standards, as well as easy-to-use tools that calculate the requirements for individual properties to be compliant with the standards. 

The standards can be accessed whether you’re in the office or on site using your mobile phone. Below is a brief overview of some of the standards you may get asked about, and where to point people if they need more information.

Heating standard

Tenancy Services — Heating standard(external link)

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18˚C. By installing heating that can reach this temperature on the coldest days of the year, tenants will be able to keep warm all year round.

The heating standard means rental properties must comply with the following requirements:

• There must be one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room.
• Heater(s) must be fixed (not portable), and must be at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room.

The Heating Assessment Tool(external link) will help calculate the heating requirements for the living room in a rental home. Alternatively, landlords can use the formula outlined in the regulations(external link). There is a handy guide to read(external link) before getting started with the Tool – landlords will need the measurements of their living room walls, floor, windows, ceiling and any other features to accurately calculate the heating requirements.

The heating guidance document contains information on how to find out what size heater(s) are required, exemptions to the heating standard and further details.

Download the heating guidance document [PDF, 899 KB](external link)

Insulation standard

Tenancy Services — Insulation standard(external link)

The healthy homes insulation standard builds on the current regulations meaning some existing insulation will need to be topped up or replaced. All existing insulation must still be in reasonable condition to meet the requirements. This means there should be no mould, dampness, damage or gaps. All insulation must be installed in accordance with New Zealand Standard 4246:2016(external link)

The Insulation Tool(external link) will help landlords find out whether they need to upgrade the insulation in their rental property to meet the standards.

The insulation guidance document contains more specific information on the insulation standard.

Download the insulation guidance document [PDF, 1.1. MB](external link)

Ventilation standard

Tenancy Services — Ventilation standard(external link)

Mould and dampness caused by poor ventilation is harmful for tenants’ health as well as a landlord’s property. The ventilation standard targets mould and dampness in rental homes.

Rental homes must have openable windows or doors in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans that vent to the outside.

After 1 July 2019, newly installed extractor fans must have a minimum diameter and exhaust capacity. These differ for kitchens and bathrooms:

• In kitchens, extractor fans must have a minimum diameter of 150mm or an exhaust capacity of at least 50 litres per second.
• In bathrooms, extractor fans must have a minimum diameter of 120mm or an exhaust capacity of at least 25 litres per second.

The Ventilation Tool(external link) is available for landlords to figure out if they need to install new extractor fans in the kitchens and bathrooms of their rental properties.  

The ventilation guidance document contains more specific information on the ventilation standard

Download the ventilation guidance document. [PDF, 2.3 MB](external link)

Moisture ingress and drainage standard

Tenancy Services — Moisture ingress and drainage standard(external link)

Moisture in a home can lead to poor health outcomes for tenants and can be destructive to the quality of a house.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. Rental properties with an enclosed sub-floor space must have a ground moisture barrier.

Ground moisture barriers must either:

• Be a polythene sheet and installed in accordance with section 8 of New Zealand Standard NZS4246:2016(external link), or
• Have a vapour flow resistance of at least 50MNs/g and be installed by a professional installer.

The moisture ingress and drainage standard document has more specific information on the moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Download the moisture ingress and drainage guidance document. [PDF, 2.4 MB](external link)

Draught stopping standard

Tenancy Services — Draught stopping standard(external link)

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses, and can make it more expensive for a tenant to heat their home. Fixing draughts is an easy way to reduce heating bills, and keep rental homes warm and dry.

Landlords must make sure the property doesn’t have unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors and doors which cause noticeable draughts. All unused open fireplaces must be closed off or their chimneys must be blocked to prevent draughts.

The draught stopping guidance document has more specific information on the draught stopping standard.

Download the draught stopping guidance document. [PDF, 790 KB](external link)

Exemptions to the healthy homes standards

In some situations a property may be exempt from complying with the healthy homes standards or parts of the standards. More information on exemptions is available on the Tenancy Services website.(external link)

Quiz

1. How can a landlord calculate the heating requirements for a living room?
   1. Using an online tool at www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/(external link)
   2. By using calculations in formula outlined in schedule 2 of the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019
   3. 1.5 kW heating capacity is OK for all living rooms, regardless of size
   4. A and/or B
2. A house has some insulation, but you are not sure if it meets the new healthy homes requirements. Where can you find more information?
   1. Guidance documents available from www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/(external link)
   2. Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019
   3. By using an online calculation tool at www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/(external link)
   4. All of the above
3. When must landlords comply with the new standards?
   1. From 1 January 2021, all private rental properties must comply with the standards
   2. From 1 July 2021, all private rental properties must comply with the standards
   3. From 1 July 2021, all private rental properties must comply with the standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy
4. To comply with the healthy homes standards for rental properties, where must extractor fans be located?
   1. In all kitchens and bathrooms
   2. In all kitchens, and in bathrooms where you cannot open an external window
   3. In kitchens that are located in the main living area (open plan)