Insulation requirements
Question from Janice updated on 3rd March 2016:
Our three rental properties were built in 1972 with concrete floors. Under the new government rules about insulation coming in, will we have to somehow retro-fit some kind of insulation?
The floors have carpet and underfelt in the bedrooms and lounge/dining and lino in kitchen/laundry and bathroom and toilet. These are three years old. The ceiling has since been insulated and has a new decramastic tile roof.
Our expert Bernard Parker responded:
In July, the Government announced that legislation would be developed this year to make it compulsory to provide insulation in rental properties. The legislation has not been passed yet, but the intentions of Government have been well publicised. The purpose is to make rental properties healthier and safer.
The Cabinet Social Policy Committee has decided that the Residential Tenancies Act will be amended to require that residential rental premises must meet insulation standards prescribed in regulations.
The operative dates will be:
1. From 1 July 2016 all Housing Corporation and Community Housing Provider tenancies where tenants pay an income related rent.
2. From 1 July 2019 all other residential tenancies covered by the Residential Tenancies Act.
Some exclusions from the insulation requirements would apply where it is impractical to retrofit insulation due to the physical design of the property. For example: where the house has a concrete slab floor.
It is also planned that from 1 July 2016, for all new tenancies, landlords or people acting on their behalf (including property managers) will be required to state, as part of the tenancy agreement, the extent of insulation in the ceiling, walls and underfloor.
A public education campaign is expected in association with these and other changes to the law. We will undoubtedly receive more information in the news as the legislation passes through Parliament.
Bernard is principal of Quinovic – Kapiti-Mana. Quinovic's outstanding people and systems provide the most professional, effective and reliable residential property management service in the NZ market for over 30 years.
Search the Ask an Expert archive
Browse all questions in the Ask An Expert Archive »