Healthy Homes: winter tends to test the work
As colder, damper weather sets in, we often see more tenant enquiries around heating, ventilation, moisture and draughts. It’s a timely reminder that Healthy Homes compliance isn’t a one-and-done exercise - standards need to be maintained throughout the life of the tenancy. For a quick refresher on the key focus areas, what your responsibilities are and where our property management team can help, keep reading!
New Zealand's Healthy Homes standards outline clear requirements every rental property must meet, covering essentials like heating, ventilation, insulation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping. If you are renting out a property for the first time, it must comply by the date a tenancy starts.
What are the Healthy Homes standards?
The Healthy Homes standards are minimum requirements designed to ensure that every rental property in New Zealand provides a warm, dry and safe living environment. These standards cover:
- Heating - Ensuring living areas have adequate heating.
- Ventilation - Making sure there’s proper airflow.
- Insulation - Having appropriate insulation in ceilings and under floors.
- Moisture Ingress and Drainage - Preventing moisture buildup.
- Draught Stopping - Sealing unnecessary gaps to reduce draughts.
How do I know that my property will continue to comply with Healthy Homes standards?
The best way to ensure your peace of mind, and ensure your property continues to be compliant is to get a Healthy Homes re-assessment every couple of years. If you have a professional property manager, you'll receive routine inspections where they will be able to identify any obvious problems.
Even if your property is a new build, it’s advised to have regular re-assessments to ensure your property is well taken care of and continues to meet the standards. And re-assessments are more cost efficient running between $100 - $200.
What happens if work is required?
If the re-assessment shows your property needs work, such as installing a heat pump or an extractor fan, your property manager will arrange for quotes. Once the budget is approved, your property manager will take care of the rest -- coordinating the tradespeople to get the job done, stress-free.
What do I need to tell my tenants?
Landlords must provide a Healthy Homes compliance statement with every tenancy agreement. If you’ve had an assessment, many providers will include this statement as part of their service. If you’re doing a self-assessment, you’ll need to sign off on the compliance statement yourself.
What happens if I don't comply?
Failing to provide a compliance statement could land you with a $750 fine, and submitting false or misleading information carries a penalty of up to $900. Not meeting the standards in time can result in even heavier fines -- up to $7,200 in exemplary damages, plus potential rent compensation for your tenants.
What records do I need to keep?
You’ll need to hold onto records showing compliance, like invoices, receipts, the Healthy Homes assessment or the re-assessment reports. These records must be provided within 21 days if requested by a tenant.
Ensuring your property meets the Healthy Homes standards is important and it’s top of mind for many landlords. But you don’t have to go through it alone. If you have any questions or need advice and support, your Barfoot & Thompson property manager is just a phone call away, ready with help when you need it.
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