Property Management New Insulation Standards 2019 Rental Properties New Zealand

1. New Zealand Rental Property Insulation Laws July 2019. What landlords need to know. Comprende Property Management Te Aro Wellington.

2. What landlords need to know about insulation laws To check if your insulation is up to standard contact Comprende for an insulation assessment. Comprende 10 Wigan St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011Phone: 04-384 2141 property management company in Wellington What landlords need to know about insulation laws

3. What landlords need to know about insulation laws Does your rental property in New Zealand meet the new insulation regulations? If you are a rental property owner then you need to comply or risk a $4000 ?ne for each rental property in your portfolio that fails to meet the new insulation standards. The new regulations come into force from 1st July 2019 How to make certain that your rental property meets the new insulation regulations.  As a rental property owner here's what you need to know:  Insulation is compulsory for all residential rental properties from 1st July 2019.   Both under?oor and ceiling insulation is a requirement of this new regulation, where reasonably practicable.  It is considered an unlawful act if your rental property fails to meet insulation standards from July 2019.  Fines or penalties could be up to $4000 per property.  All new tenancy agreements must include an insulation statement.  Strangely enough many rental property owners have focused in the past on wall insulation, yet this is not compulsory. Uncertain that your rental property is properly insulated? maybe you think that your insulation is not fully compliant, it is now up to you to get it checked. Talk to your Comprende property manager about the insulation regulations, we know the regulations well and we will always check prior to any new rental agreement. We can organise a survey to check that your rental property is compliant. If you already know your insulation needs replacing and need more information on how to do this, visit your local Bunnings store or read more here.  What landlords need to know about insulation laws

4. What landlords need to know about insulation laws How can I tell if my insulation meets the regulations? First thing’s ?rst – is the house insulated at all? Landlords (or property managers) can check this by physically looking in the property’s ceiling cavity and under?oor area, hiring a professional to do an assessment, or by checking the council building ?le.  If there’s no insulation at all, you’ll need to install insulation that complies with the regulations.   If the place is insulated, this should be at least 70mm thick.   If the insulation is less than 70mm thick, you’ll need to top it up with additional insulation in order to comply with the regulations that come into force on 1 July 2019.  If the insulation is 70mm or thicker, you’re good to go, assuming the insulation remains in reasonable condition. This means there are no gaps or spots missing (except around lights and other heat sources), and no defects, such as insulation that is wet or damp.  If you’re installing new or top-up insulation, it’s a good idea to aim for 120mm in thickness, in order to future-proof the home and meet the 2021 Healthy Homes Standards. If the house’s under?oor insulation is foil insulation, this is okay, as long as the top surface is still shiny and there are no rips, gaps or damage. If the foil is damaged, it needs to be replaced with another insulation product. Remember, there’s a risk of electrocution with foil, so turn the power off before touching it or hire a professional.  If you’re unsure about the thickness or state of the home’s insulation, it’s a good idea to talk to a professional insulation installer, or ask your property manager for advice. What landlords need to know about insulation laws

5. What landlords need to know about insulation laws What does “reasonably practicable to install” mean? Is my rental home exempt? The design or construction constraints of some properties mean it’s not reasonably practicable to install insulation, making these homes exempt from the rules.  According to Tenancy Services, examples of the types of properties that would meet the exception criteria are:  Apartments where there is a habitable space above and below the apartment.  Houses constructed on concrete slabs where it is not feasible to install under?oor insulation.  Houses with skillion roofs where there is no ceiling in place to install insulation above. There are also some access exemptions, which is when an experienced professional insulation installer can’t access the location to install insulation without:  removing any cladding or lining.  carrying out other substantial building work.  causing substantial damage to the house. If the insulation can be installed with only some minor work required, like temporarily removing baseboards from the exterior of the property to access the under?oor, then you’ve still got to install insulation. If your rental property ticks one of these exemption boxes, it’s important to keep this in mind when planning any future work to the home. If a change is made that allows insulation to be ?tted, then the landlord must do so as soon as reasonably practicable. For example, if the home is exempt because it has a skillion roof, and then a new roof is installed down the line, you’ll be expected to ?t insulation.  If you think your place quali?es for an exemption, talk to an experienced professional insulation installer and, if needed, a builder. Ask for written con?rmation that outlines the reasons the home is exempt, and include this in future tenancy agreements for tenants to be aware of and understand.  If you plan to demolish or substantially rebuild all or part of the house within 12 months of the start of a tenancy, the property can also be exempt. The landlord must be able to provide evidence of having applied for the necessary resource consent and/or building consent for the redevelopment or building work. What landlords need to know about insulation laws

6. What landlords need to know about insulation laws What if I’m not compliant by 1 July 2019? If you fail to meet the regulations by the deadline, you’ll be in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act. You’ll face a penalty of up to $4,000, which is usually paid to the tenant. If you own more than one rental property, you may face separate damages for each home that doesn’t comply.  Preparing for the Healthy Homes Standards The Healthy Homes Standards will include additional requirements for insulation, which will take effect from 1 July 2021.  According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Healthy Homes Standards aim to make a signi?cant change to the quality of Kiwi rental homes. The standards will cover heating, insulation and ventilation, as well as moisture ingress, drainage and draught stopping. It’s a good idea for landlords to read up on these new standards before planning any work to a rental property, in order to future-proof the home and be sure that any work you do today will help you meet these new standards in 2021.  Where can I go for more information? Visit your local Bunnings. Bunnings have a range of ceiling, wall and under?oor insulation and can help you organise delivery and installation. Find out more here.  What landlords need to know about insulation laws

7. What landlords need to know about insulation laws Comprende 10 Wigan St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011Phone: 04-384 2141 property management company in Wellington What landlords need to know about insulation laws