Healthy Homes Standards

GET A FREE QUOTE NOW

We have quotes and inspection services available to help your rental properties comply with New Zealand Healthy Homes Standards.

All new or altered Tenancy Agreements must include details on the current status of the 5 Healthy Homes Standards.

Healthy Homes Inspection Service & Report

We offer a reasonably priced full Healthy Homes Rental Inspection service that examines all five Healthy Homes Standards at your rental properties to detect any compliance concerns.

We will deliver a complete report outlining the property’s condition in relation to the necessary rental standards for:

Insulation
Heating
Ventilation
Drainage and moisture ingress
Draught stopping

If required, we will also provide a quote for the supply and installation of the ceiling and underfloor insulation, heat pump, ventilation products, and ground moisture barrier.

Free Quotes

If you are certain that you require insulation, heating, ventilation or other services, we can offer a complimentary quote. After you accept the quote, we will install the products and provide a Healthy Homes Compliance Certificate.

About the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019

The Healthy Homes Standards legislation in New Zealand sets minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, and drainage in rental properties. The standards aim to improve the health and well-being of tenants by ensuring that rental homes are warm, dry, and safe to live in.

Landlords must comply with the standards and provide tenants with a Statement of Compliance upon request. These standards were introduced as part of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019, which also includes other changes to the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants.

Affordable Energy Solutions can conduct a full inspection of your property to help you ensure you are fully compliant with the standards and requirements set by these regulations. Keep reading for more information on each Healthy Homes Standard we can assess for you.

Heating Capacity

Heating is one of the key areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards in New Zealand. Under the standards, rentals must have a fixed form of heating that can heat the main living area to a certain capacity. Tenants must have a warm and comfortable living environment for their health and well-being, and the heating standard supports this.

Some of the heating systems property owners could install include:

Electric heaters: Electric heaters, such as panels and convection heaters, are a common form of heating in housing. They are easy to install and can heat a single room or an entire home
Gas heaters: Gas heaters can also comply with the standards. They typically heat a room or area faster than electric heaters and are more energy efficient.
Heat pumps: Heat pumps, such as air-source or ground-source heat pumps, can provide both heating and cooling to a property. They are more energy efficient than electric or gas heaters and can be a cost-effective option over the long term.
Wood burners: Wood burners and pellet fires can also be used as an option for heating if they meet the relevant emissions and safety standards.

Our team at Affordable Energy Solutions can help landlords, property owners, and body corporate meet the heating capacity standard detailed by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019. As experts in heat pumps and property heating solutions, we can help you install a quality heat pump /air conditioning system that meets the requirements of the heating standard.

We don’t just offer installation of the required heating solution. Our team can also help you keep up with the regular maintenance required by the heating standard, to ensure it works effectively and meets the healthy rental homes standards.

Insulation Standard

To meet the Healthy Home Standards, each rental property must have insulation in the ceiling and underfloor that meets the required R-values.

R-value quantifies a material’s thermal resistance, reflecting its effectiveness in preventing heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation is in retaining heat.

What the R-value must be depends on the location of the property and the type of insulation used. In general, the standards require a minimum R-value of 2.9 for ceilings, and 1.3 for floors.

Several types of insulation can be used to comply with the standards and NZ building code, including:

Fibreglass insulation
Cellulose insulation
Polystyrene insulation
Polyester insulation
Wool insulation

It’s important to note that insulation must be installed correctly, with no gaps or holes that could let heat escape, and that landlords and property owners are responsible for ensuring that the insulation standard continues to be upheld.

The standards include ventilation as another important aspect, as it helps to prevent moisture build-up and improve indoor air quality. The New Zealand standards require rental homes to have adequate ventilation in the form of openable windows, vents, or a mechanical ventilation system.

Several types of ventilation systems can be used to comply with the standards, including:

Natural ventilation: This type of ventilation comes from openable windows, skylights, or vents that allow fresh air to enter the home. It is a simple and cost-effective way to provide ventilation, but it relies on the occupants to open and close windows as needed.
Mechanical ventilation: This type of ventilation brings fresh air into a home using fans and other mechanical means. It is more effective at removing moisture and pollutants than natural ventilation, but it is expensive to install and maintain.
Heat recovery ventilation systems: These systems use a heat exchanger to recover heat from the outgoing stale air, warming the incoming fresh air. This can be more energy efficient than other mechanical ventilation systems.

The installation and maintenance of ventilation systems must be done correctly in each rental property, to ensure that they are working effectively. Property owners and landlords are responsible for making sure that the ventilation systems are maintained and repaired as needed.

Having a balance between ventilation and insulation is essential, as a high ventilation rate may cause heat loss if insulation is inadequate. Get in touch with our team for tips on striking the right balance between insulation and ventilation on your rental property today.

Drainage and Moisture Ingress

Healthy homes must also have a good level of drainage and moisture ingress, as they help to prevent water damage and mould growth, which can lead to serious health problems. The Healthy Homes Standards in New Zealand require residential rental properties to have appropriate measures in place to prevent moisture from entering the home, such as waterproofing and drainage.

Here are some key things to look for when assessing drainage and moisture ingress in a rental property:

Waterproofing: The property should utilise appropriate waterproofing measures, such as a waterproof membrane, to prevent water from entering the home through the walls or floors.
Drainage: The property should have appropriate drainage around the building, including gutters and downpipes, to prevent water from entering the home through the roof or walls.
Ground slope: The property should be built on a slope that directs water away from the building, to prevent water from pooling around the foundation and entering the home.
Ventilation: Proper ventilation can help to prevent moisture buildup by allowing humid air to escape and dry air to enter the home.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as cleaning gutters, checking for leaks, and ensuring that the property is well-ventilated can help to prevent moisture ingress and damage.

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that the property is waterproofed and drained properly and taking any necessary steps to fix any issues related to moisture ingress. Tenants also have a responsibility to report any issues with moisture ingress to their landlord or property manager on time.

Find out more today

You can find the official information about the Healthy Homes Standards on the Tenancy Services website. Or, call us on 0800 800 450, fill in the below form or send a list of your properties to the email [email protected] with the tenant contact details and/or your Work Order number, and what service you would like.

We are here to help you meet the requirements, stress-free. We’ll contact your tenants on your behalf, arrange the service and send you the paperwork. Easy!