Healthy Homes
The healthy homes standards introduce specific minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
Heating
Landlords must provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat the main living room. The heater must be an acceptable type, and must meet the minimum heating capacity required for your living room.
Insulation
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.
Draught Stopping
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.
Moisture Ingress & Drainage
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.
Ventilation
Rental homes must have openable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms must have extractor fans.