The government has released the proposal around healthy homes standards to assist in nicer homes for everyone. The standards seem mostly reasonable. Most houses insulated in the past five years probably meet the new standards. In terms of heating, a heat pump for the lounge seems likely.
Currently this is a discussion paper and landlords are invited to have their say.
Providing Heating
- Option one: Living room only (includes kitchen and dining room if open plan rental home)
- Option two: Living room (includes kitchen and dining room if open plan rental home) and bedrooms
Insulation
- Option one: The requirements under the 2016 regulations would continue to apply after 1 July 2019 so landlords must replace or retrofit insulation to meet (or exceed) the requirements for ceiling and underfloor insulation in their rental homes.
- Option two: Landlords must replace or retrofit ceiling and underfloor insulation in their rental home if it is not in a reasonable condition (or better), and, when originally installed, did not have the Rvalue of (at least) ceiling: 1.9 if located in zones 1 or 2 and 2.5 if located in zone 3 and underfloor 1.3.74.
- Option three: Landlords must replace, retrofit or ‘top up’ ceiling and underfloor insulation if it is not in reasonable condition (or better), is not in accordance with the relevant New Zealand Standard80 and, when originally installed, did not have the R-value (at least) of: ceiling: 2.9 if the premises are located in zones 1 or 2 or 3.3 if the premises are located in zone 3 and underfloor: 1.3.
Ventilation
- Option one: Every bathroom has at least one window that directly opens to the outside air unless other adequate means of ventilation are provided to the satisfaction of the local authority. Each habitable room has at least one window that directly opens to the outside air unless other adequate means of ventilation are provided to the satisfaction of the local authority. Every room which is not a habitable room shall be provided with such window or windows as the local authority may consider necessary for adequate ventilation.
- Option two: Extractor fans installed in rooms with a bath or shower, and living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms have windows that can be opened for the entry of air unless an exemption applies.
- Option three: openable windows and extract fans in rooms with a bath, shower or indoor cooktop.
Moisture Ingress and drainage
- Option one: Landlords are required to ensure walls and ceilings of every habitable room, bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette, hall and stairway shall be sheathed, plastered, rendered or otherwise treated and shall be maintained to the satisfaction of the local authority. Every floor shall be kept in a good state of repair free from crevices, holes and depressions.
- Option two: Landlords provide efficient drainage and guttering, downpipes and drains and ensure that the subfloor has a ground moisture barrier, unless there is already adequate subfloor ventilation.
Draught stopping
- Option one: Landlords continue to meet the requirements of the Building Code, Residential Tenancies Act and the Housing Improvement Regulations.
- Option two: Landlords to stop any unnecessary gaps or holes that cause noticeable draughts and a colder rental home.
From 1 July 2019, landlords must include a statement of intent to comply with the healthy homes standards in a new, varied or renewed tenancy agreement.
The HHG Act allows for phased implementation of the healthy homes standards between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2024. They propose that this requirement could commence on 1 July 2021 and landlords would have to comply with the standards at 90 days after the time they sign or renew or vary a tenancy.
The insulation provisions of the Residential Tenancies (Smoke Alarms and Insulation) Regulations 2016 (the 2016 regulations) will be superseded when the healthy home standards come into force.
Landlords can give feedback on the proposed requirements by sending their submission via the MBIE website: www.mbie.govt.nz/healthy-homes by 6pm on 22 October 2018.
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