Gusto provides exceptional service and expertise for Healthy Homes
HEALTHY HOMES
Gusto provides exceptional service and expertise for you to achieve your statement of compliance for the Healthy Homes 2019 Regulations.
This is a specialised service for Landlords and Property Management Companies only.
Healthy Homes Regulations 2019
What you need to know?
The residential tenancies Healthy Homes Standards (HHS) regulations 2019 set minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
The standards will play a significant role in improving the wellbeing of New Zealanders and their families.
Tenancy Services have released a full set of documents and standards that rental properties MUST follow to meet the Healthy Homes Standards.
Compliance with the standards are: 1 July 2021 – From this date, private landlords must ensure that their rental properties comply with healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new tenancy. 1 July 2021 – All boarding houses must comply with the healthy homes standards.
The five components for the Healthy Homes Standards are:
- Heating.
- Insulation.
- Ventilation.
- Moisture ingress and drainage.
- Draught-stopping.
For more information, please access the Tenancy Services website: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/
Timeline to meet Regulation Deadlines
| 1stJuly 2019 Onwards | 1stDecember 2020 Onwards | 1stJuly 2021 Onwards | 1stJuly 2024 Onwards |
| All rental tenancy agreements must include a statement that the property meets the healthy homes standards or that the landlord will complete the work required. | All rental tenancy agreements must include specific information about how the property meets or intends to meet the Healthy Homes Standard. | Landlords have 90 days to get a rental up to the required standard of any new or renewed tenancy agreement. | All rental properties are required to meet the Healthy Home Standard. |
Heating
We will measure the main living room to determine whether the existing heating output meets the living rooms demand by using the Tenancy services ‘Heating Assessment Tool’. Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details:https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/heating-standard/
Insulation
Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019, where it is reasonably practicable to install. Some existing insulation in rental properties will need to be topped up or replaced.
Depending on location, ceiling insulation needs to meet minimum R-values, or existing ceiling insulation installed before 1 July 2016 needs to be a least 120mm thick. Underfloor insulation needs a minimum R- Value of 1.3.
R stands for resistance – an R –value is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow.
Underfloor Foil insulation that is partially ripped or torn, must be fully removed and replaced with new minimum value of R1.3 insulation.
Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/insulation-standard/
Ventilation
Rental properties must have at least one door or window (including skylights) that opens to the outside in all bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, lounges and kitchens. The operable windows and doors must have a total area of at least five per cent of the floor area in each habitable room. The windows and doors must be able to be fixed in the open position.
All kitchens and bathrooms must have a working extractor fan that ventilates externally and the ducting is intact.
Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/insulation-standard/
Moisture Ingress and Drainage
Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall. The drainage system must include gutters, downpipes and drains for the removal of water from the roof. If the rental property has an enclosed subfloor, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.
Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/moisture-and-drainage-standard/
Draught Stopping
Landlords must block any unreasonable gaps and holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors. We identify any gaps greater than 3mm that cause noticeable draughts. Open fireplaces must be blocked unless the tenant and landlord agree otherwise.
Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/draught/