Landlords get 5 more months

Landlords have been given an extra five months to meet this year’s Healthy Homes requirements.

The Healthy Homes standards set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, drainage and draughtstopping. The law took effect in July 2019 but is implemented in stages.

By July 1 this year, landlords were meant to include detailed information in their new or renewed tenancy agreements about how their property meets the standards, so all parties were aware of the standards before compliance was required from July 1, 2021.

But that deadline for the compliance statement has been extended to December 2020.

‘‘In order to complete a compliance statement, landlords need access to their rental properties and to allow tradespeople to complete inspections to determine the level of compliance. However,

Bindi Norwell,

Chief executive at the Real Estate Institute

restrictions to property access during Covid-19 alert levels 3 and 4 have limited landlords’ ability to undertake this activity,’’

Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi said.

‘‘Further delays are likely during alert level 2 due to backlogs caused by the lockdown. That’s why Cabinet has agreed to delay the requirement until December 1, 2020,’’ Faafoi said.

The extended deadline will not affect any dates by which rental properties have to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards.

The delayed deadline refers only to the requirement for a detailed statement of compliance.

‘‘Ensuring all New Zealanders have warm, dry homes is one of the most important public health changes this Government is making, and the Healthy Homes Standards are making a significant improvement to the quality of rental homes and the wellbeing of New Zealanders,’’ Faafoi said.

Bindi Norwell, chief executive at the Real Estate Institute, said it was a welcome move. ‘‘Initially, the profession had asked for a two-month extension, so to be granted a five-month extension is extremely welcome news.’’

She said property managers still should not leave their inspections until the last minute.

‘‘Initially, the profession had asked for a two-month extension.’’