Healthy Homes Standards
The healthy homes standards became law on 1 July 2019.
HEATING:
Landlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room. The heater(s) must be acceptable types, and must meet the minimum heating capacity required for your main living room.
INSULATION STANDARD
Ceiling 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.
ventilation standard
Rental homes must have openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans.
Read more about the requirements here
moisture ingress and drainage standard
Rental 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.
DRAUGHT STOPPING STANDARDS
Landlords 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 their chimneys must be blocked to prevent draughts.
Maintenance & Inspections
Who’s responsible for keeping your rental home healthy? In this video, a sick little house learns that both tenants and landlords have a role to play.
Read more about the Healthy Homes Standards here