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

  • 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
  • Old couple in the park

    New Finance Option Available To Facilitate Transition into Retirement Village

    A new financing option could make the transition to retirement living easier. The recently introduced 'Village Access Loan' by one of the banks allows homeowners to borrow up to 50% of their retirement village entry cost, using their existing home as security. This three-year bridging finance gives retirees more flexibility in timing their property sale and securing their preferred retirement village. Find out how this differs from reverse equity loans and what it means for you.
    Residential property
  • Locked gate

    Family Trusts in blended families: What you need to know

    In part one of our series on Trusts, we explore the unique challenges faced by blended families. Picture your family trust as a citadel protecting your hard-won assets - but what happens when new family members enter the picture? Through the story of David and Jane's blended family, we illustrate how seemingly innocent actions can inadvertently create legal claims on trust assets.
    Trusts and Life planning Forming a Trust Managing a Trust
  • Elise & Roas

    Young lawyers at Aspiring Law

    We're delighted to welcome two new faces to our Aspiring Law team. Rosa Garcia Knight and Elise Streat bring fresh energy and expertise to our firm and embody our commitment to providing clear, client-focused legal services within our community.