Healthy Homes Standards for all Rentals.
The 5 Healthy Homes Standards apply now.
The 5 Healthy Homes Standards aim to improve the health and warmth of the nation's 600,000 rental properties by creating minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, draught stopping, moisture ingress and drainage.
The 'Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 are in force and from 1st July 2021 all new or renewed Tenancy Agreements must comply with all the new Standards within 120 days.
Brightr can help get your properties compliant with free quotes, advice and inspections to check if your property is up to standard.
Rental Insulation Standard.
Insulation has been mandatory in all rental properties since July 2019.
Ceiling Insulation
- The minimum level of ceiling insulation under the Healthy Homes standards has increased from 70mm to 120mm and the insulation must be in good condition.
- Properties that need more insulation must top up to meet the 2016 regulations R2.9 - R3.3.
Underfloor insulation Standard
- Insulation underfloor is already mandatory.
- Remember foil underfloor insulation that is damaged, torn or dusty, must be replaced with bulk insulation as it is illegal to repair or re-install it.
Heating Standard.
An efficient fixed heating device that is capable of warming the living room to 18°C on the coldest day of winter is the new rental Standard.
In most rentals a large source such as a heat pump or wood burner will be required. For very small living rooms and apartments a small fixed electric heater may be sufficient.
Inefficient, unaffordable or unhealthy heaters like unflued gas heaters, open fires, electric heaters (not heat pumps) with a heating capacity of greater than 2.4kW or multiple electric heaters can still be used but will not be accepted as meeting the Standard.
Healthy Homes Standards for Rentals
Whether you need a compliance report or insulation, heat pumps, extractors or ground moisture barrier installed - we can coordinate it all.
Hate filling in forms? Call us direct 0800 888 766
We answer 24 hours, 7 days a week so call us anytime.
Ventilation Standard.
The Healthy Homes Standards focuses on the ability to naturally ventilate the home and for extractors to be fitted in high moisture areas (kitchens & bathrooms).
There must be windows that can be opened in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms.
Kitchen & bathrooms are the largest sources of moisture in the home and so externally vented extractor fan(s) are included in the Standard.
Ducted ventilation systems are not required under the Standard. They do however provide an additional safeguard from damage to the property due to moisture.
Drainage & Moisture Ingress Standard.
The Healthy Homes Standards require rental properties to have an effective drainage system (gutters, downpipes and drains) that adequately drains away stormwater, surface water and ground water.
Ground moisture barrier is also required in rentals with an enclosed subfloor along 50% or more of the perimeter.
Ground moisture barrier are sheets of polythene at least 0.25 mm thick. It is lain over the ground under a house to prevent damp and damage to the home from rising damp. Moisture barrier is required even if there are existing subfloor vents.
Brightr has years experience installing ground moisture barrier which is most economically installed at the same time as underfloor insulation.
Draught Stopping Standard.
Any gaps or holes that cause noticeable draughts must be 'stopped'. This includes gaps/holes in and around windows, doors, walls, ceilings, floors and unused chimneys and fireplaces.
Stopping draughts is a relatively low cost measure and the government has indicated that gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home will require sealing.
More reading on finance options for rentals
Healthy Homes Standards for Rentals
Whether you need a compliance report or insulation, heat pumps, extractors or ground moisture barrier installed - we can coordinate it all.
Hate filling in forms? Call us direct 0800 888 766
We answer 24 hours, 7 days a week so call us anytime.