Healthy homes
The healthy homes standards introduce specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
The healthy homes standards became law on 1 July 2019.
Landlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room to a maintained temperature of at least 18 degrees Celsius.
Rental properties must have ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets the requirements of the 2008 Building Code and is in a reasonable condition. Existing ceiling insulation installed before 1 July 2016 must be at least 120mm thick to meet the insulation standard.
Rental homes must have openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have appropriately sized extractor fans.
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.
Landlords must make sure the property doesn’t have unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors and doors which cause draughts. All unused open fireplaces closed off or their chimneys must be blocked to prevent draughts.
In some situations a property may be exempt from complying with the healthy homes standards or parts of the standards.
Landlords and tenants should both understand these dates for complying with the healthy homes standards.
