What are the Healthy Homes Standards?

Insulation

icon insulationCeiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. The healthy homes insulation standard builds on the current regulations and some existing insulation will need to be topped up or replaced. More

Heating

icon heatingLandlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room. The heater must be an acceptable typeand must meet the minimum heating capacity required for your living room. More

Ventilation

icon ventilation>Rental homes must have openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans. More

Moisture Ingress and Drainage

icon moisture and drainageRental 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. More

Draught Stopping Standard

icon draught stoppingLandlords must make sure the property doesn’t have unreasonable gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors and doors which cause noticeable draughts. All unused open fireplaces closed off or theirchimneys must be blocked to prevent draughts. More

For more information, please access the Tenancy Services website:

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/

Healthy Homes inspections for the 5 Standards-what’s involved?

Insulation Inspection

We will inspect the ceiling and the underfloor insulation for compliance with the NZS: 4246:2016 standards.

The ceiling insulation must comply with the NZS standards and have a minimum loft of 120 mm with no gaps and adequate clearances around all downlights, chimneys and vents.

The underfloor insulation must have a minimum R value of R1.3 and specified clearances must be in place around all protruding pipes and plumbing.

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/

Heating Inspection

We will inspect the main living room and determine whether the existing fixed heaters meet the minimum requirement using the Tenancy services ‘Heating Assessment Tool’. We will also check that the heater is in good working order (can be turned on).

Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details:

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/heating-standard/

Ventilation Inspection

We check all kitchens and bathrooms to ensure there are fixedExtractor Fans installed that are in good working order and are vented outside.  In addition,we will check all windows to ensure each habitable room has openable windows that are able to be fixed open.  We will also check that each room area has an openable window/door more than 5% of the total habitable room area.

Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details:

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/ventilation-standard/

Draught Stopping Inspection

We will undertake a visual inspection of all external doors and windows to identify any gaps greater than 3 mm that may cause unreasonable draughts. We will also check there are no holes in the external walls, ceilings or floors along with any broken windows/catches and latches. Any open fireplaces will be inspected to check they are either blocked or, if the tenant wishes to keep them unblockedfor use at the request and with the permission of the Landlord in writing.

Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details:

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/draught/

Drainage and Moisture Ingress Inspection

Moisture Ingress

We will inspect the property to identify if the property has an enclosed subfloor based on the following definition:

A subfloor is enclosed if the airflow into and out of the space is significantly obstructed along at least 50 per cent of the perimeter of the subfloor space by one or more of the following:

  • A masonry foundation wall ›
  • Fibre cement sheets, timber skirting, or other cladding › other parts of the building or any adjoining structure(s)
  • Any other permanent or semi-permanent structure that significantly obstructs airflow, rock, soil, or other similar material.

Even where vents are built into the subfloor perimeter walls, airflow into and out of the space is usually significantly obstructed. However, perimeter claddings such as baseboards with multiple continuous gaps of more than 20mm width or trellis do not significantly obstruct airflow.

Drainage

We will inspect that there are:

  • Are gutters are present and intact around the property.
  • Gutters connect to downpipes
  • No evident cracks, breakages or holes in either guttering or downpipes
  • There is no evidence of pooling surface water around the property.

Please refer to the Tenancy Service’s Website link below for further details:

https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes/moisture-and-drainage-standard/

Cost for a Healthy Homes Inspection

The cost of our service is customised based on the location of the property, the number of properties and the range of services you need help with.  All enquiries by email [email protected] or by phoning 0800 2019 00.