Welcome to our July Newsletter 2019
FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LANDLORDS
From 1 July 2019 all landlords are expected to have insulated tenanted residential properties.
Landlords who do not have insulation installed in the ceiling and under the floor, where it is practicable to install it, are committing an unlawful act and may be liable for exemplary damages of up to $4,000 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Tenants who believe they are living in a rental property that does not meet the insulation requirements should talk to their landlord first. If this doesn’t solve the issue there are a number of options available, including mediation.
On 13th May 2019, the Government’s healthy homes standards were officially signed off and become law from 1 July 2019.
The new standards will improve the quality of rental homes in New Zealand. The five standards cover requirements for heating, ventilation, draught stopping, moisture ingress and drainage, as well as additional insulation.
All rental properties need to comply by 1 July 2024 with all five standards, or sooner if there is a change to a tenancy after 1 July 2021. Instead of waiting until 2024 most lawyers are advising their clients towards having properties compliant by 1 July 2021. This will protect landlords from periods of vacancy and only having 90 days to get any work completed to meet the new standards.
From 1 July 2019 all new, varied or renewed tenancy agreements must include a separately signed statement of intent, to comply with the healthy homes standards. This statement is in addition to the existing requirement to include a signed insulation statement.
Key dates summary
- From 1 July 2019 – new healthy homes statement of intent included with all new, varied or renewed tenancy agreements
- 1 July 2021 – target for healthy homes compliance of all rental properties
- 1 July 2021 – 1 July 2024 – any rental properties with a change in tenancy will have 90 days to comply with all five healthy homes standards
- 1 July 2024 – all rental properties legally required to comply with all five healthy homes standards.
If you require advice on complying with any of the above or indeed on any other legal matter please do not hesitate to contact us to organise a time.
The Directors
DAVENPORTS WEST LAWYERS LIMITED
P: 09 836 4099
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