Homes standards for rental properties
Posted on 29 Jul 2019
Ensuring all tenants have a warm and dry home is a priority for the Government, to help improve the well being of New Zealanders and their families. Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and research has shown that New Zealand's rental housing is of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes.
The healthy homes standards
| Heating | The main living area must have a fixed heating device that can heat the room to at least 18 C. |
| Insulation | Ceiling and underfloor insulation must either meet the 2008 Building Code (see more about this below), or (for existing ceiling insulation) have a minimum thickness of 120mm and be in reasonable condition. |
| Ventilation | Ventilation must include openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Rooms with a bath or shower or indoor cooktop must have an appropriately sized extractor fan. |
| Drainage | Rental properties must have efficient drainage, guttering, downpipes and drains. |
| Moisture | If a rental property has an enclosed subfloor space, a ground moisture barrier must be installed where possible. |
| Draughts | Any gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors and doors that cause noticeable draughts must be blocked. This includes all unused chimneys and fireplaces. |
Meeting the 2008 Building Code
Insulation requirements under the 2008 Building Code are measured by R-value. 'R' stands for resistance - how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. You can check the R-value of new insulation by checking the product packaging. For existing insulation, you may need a professional insulation installer to tell you if it meets the regulations. If you're looking for an installer, the Insulation Association of New Zealand and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority can help.
Minimum R-values vary across New Zealand's three climate zones.
- Zone 1 - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
- Zone 2 - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
- Zone 3 - ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3
Many rental homes in New Zealand are well below the World Health Organization's recommended minimum indoor temperature of 18 C.
Existing insulation may meet the standard �� or not
Many rental homes in New Zealand don't have adequate insulation, meaning they're more likely to be cold and damp. Insulation minimises heat loss, making homes easier and cheaper to keep warm and dry, and healthier to live in. Some landlords have installed new insulation during the past three years to comply with legislation that was introduced in 2016. Those properties should already meet the 2008 Building Code, so they won't need to do anything further to meet insulation requirements under the healthy homes standards. However, insulation in some homes may need to be 'topped up' to meet the new minimum requirements under the healthy homes standards. It's important for landlords to remember that existing insulation requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 still apply. Under this Act, landlords must make sure homes comply by 1 July 2019 with the insulation requirements that were introduced in 2016. Credit : business.govt.nz
