This month saw the Government release a discussion document on the proposed healthy home standards for rental properties. The proposal looks at introducing minimum standards:
1.Heating– what minimum achievable indoor temperature should heating devices be sized for in rental homes, where should heating be located, should landlords only be required to provide heating devices where portable electric heaters are insufficient and should certain heating devices be not acceptable?
2.Insulation– what is an appropriate level of insulation for rental homes and how should the condition of insulation be assessed?
3. Ventilation– what is the appropriate level of ventilation to ensure rental homes have adequate airflow in areas of high moisture?
4. Moisture ingress and drainage– are existing laws for rental homes sufficient to protect against moisture and inadequate drainage or could regulations better protect against moisture entering the home?
5. Draught stopping – what appropriate measures should landlords take to stop draughts in a rental home?
The objective of the Healthy Homes Act is a good one – to ensure every family has a warm, dry and secure home. It seeks to strike a balance between the proposed initiatives and costs associated with meeting these standards that will provide a real challenge.
The fines for landlords not meeting their obligations has increased to a maximum penalty of $4,000.
All tenancies will need to meet the new standards as they are created by July 1, 2024.
This means costs to Landlords will be spread over a number of years as the various Standards and Regulations are put in place.
This means as a Landlord the media will publicise any changes we need to adhere to over the coming years, but as a general rule, it is good to start updating properties sooner rather than later. Tenants are already aware that all homes aren’t equal, so why not put things in place now to attract the best tenants.
To see a full summary of the proposed changes, please click here.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/housing-property/housing-quality
If you have an interest in commenting, then I would encourage you to make your voice heard on the proposals ahead of them being finalised, later this year.
To make a submission on the Consultation Paper, please visit the MBIE website here. https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/housing-property/housing-quality
Submissions close 22 October 2018. Regulations will come into force from 1 July 2019 and are likely to be phased in.
Author: Tony Smith Director Quinovic Greenlane
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Interesting Post! thanks!