house icon

Healthy Homes Standards: what you need to know

Published:
From:
The Residential property team

Becoming law in 2017, the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act establishes regulations to improve the quality of rental housing in New Zealand.

Following public consultation in 2018, the Healthy Homes Standards Regulations were approved by Cabinet on May 13; you can find them here. The compliance timeframes in the regulations require rentals to comply with the regulations in all tenancies entered into after July 1, 2021 and all rentals will need to comply by July 1, 2024.

The regulations include requirements to:

  • Provide heating in any living room; this heat source must be capable of heating that room to 18°C
  • Ensure insulation either meets the 2008 Building Code or has a minimum thickness of 120mm
  • Provide suitable extractor fans in bathrooms and any rooms with an indoor cooktop, and
  • Have a ground moisture barrier if the rental has an enclosed subfloor, ie: you cannot install underfloor insulation.

If you are unsure of how you must comply, we can talk you through what you need to do to so you can beat the rush come 2021.

© NZ LAW Limited, 2019. Aspiring Law is proud to be a member of NZ LAW Limited, an association of 55 law practices working together to proactively share ideas and expertise for the benefit of our clients.

Residential property Buying residential property

Aspiring articles

  • Blank page and pencil

    Parents' fiduciary duties to their children: Where do they end?

    A recent Supreme Court case, known as the Alphabet Case, tackled the complex question of how far a parent's legal responsibilities extend, particularly when family assets are placed in trusts. The Court confirmed that while parents have special legal duties to their children during childhood, these obligations usually end when children become adults. Find out what this important case means for family trusts and how potential law reforms could affect your estate planning.
    Trusts and Life planning
  • Older couple playing jenga

    Changes ahead for the rights of retirement village residents

    While retirement facilities offer attractive lifestyle options, understanding your legal rights is crucial. Unlike traditional home ownership, retirement village residents don't own their units outright but instead operate under an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA). With the Retirement Villages Act now 24 years old, significant reforms are being proposed to better protect residents' interests. Learn what these proposed changes could mean for current and future residents.
    Residential property Trusts and Life planning
  • Bullseye

    Beyond the Employment Agreement: Employing good staff is one thing, but how do you keep them?

    While finding talented staff is challenging, retaining them can be even more complex. The good news? You don't need to be a perfect employer - just a fair and reasonable one. Recent Employment Court guidance provides a practical "target" approach to good employment practices, where best practice is the bullseye, but hitting anywhere on the target still counts as fair and reasonable. Learn the golden rules that can transform you into an employer that good employees want to stick with for the long haul.
    Employment & HR
  • Car and coins

    Can we expect some light at the end of the FBT tunnel?

    Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) has long been a headache for business owners, but proposed changes could bring welcome relief to your compliance burden. The government is considering three key simplifications: a clearer vehicle classification system, exemptions for minor benefits, and streamlined entertainment rules. These changes could significantly reduce the time and effort spent on FBT compliance. With the consultation period open until May 2025, now is your chance to have your say on these proposed changes.
    Employment & HR