The 1 July 2021 deadline is now only a few months away. This is the date that residential rental properties must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards, within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy.

When insulation was made compulsory in rental properties in July 2019, many landlords who delayed insulating their properties were caught short due to supply issues and a shortage of tradespeople available to install the insulation. This was without the added complication of a global pandemic.

There are currently supply chain issues in New Zealand due to Covid-19 and delays may increase. We encourage all landlords to meet the healthy homes standards as soon as possible to avoid delays and risk incurring a penalty of up to $7,200 and committing an unlawful act.

Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 increases the amounts for an unlawful act:
• Section 45(1A) Landlord failing to meet obligations in respect of cleanliness, maintenance, smoke alarms, the healthy homes standards, or buildings, health, and safety requirements. $7200
• Section 45(1AD)(a) Landlord failing to provide healthy homes information. $750