Healthy Homes Standards (HHS) - advice for rental properties
We help make sure the home you’re renting out is warm, dry and meets the new HHS.
How we help: Sustainability Trust has developed a 1 hour procedure, to assess your rental property against the Healthy Homes Standards (HHS), and make recommendations for necessary upgrades.
Focus Areas: specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, drainage and draught stopping now required in rental properties.
Benefits: These standards create warmer drier homes for tenants, improving their health outcomes and also result in lower maintenance costs for landlords.
Pricing
Healthy Home Standards inspections are priced based on the size of your dwelling. If you have any questions, please contact us.
High-Rise Apartments: $135* +gst
*includes up to 3 bedrooms. Additional bedrooms cost $25+gst per room.
All other properties: $250** +gst
**includes up to 3 bedrooms. Additional bedrooms cost $50+gst per room.
Re-checks: $125 +gst (if required)
Popular questions:
How long does it take?
Our one-hour* assessment measures your rental property against the Healthy Homes Standard.
*the time required is based on how many things are already compliant, along with variations based on the size of the property.
Who completes the assessment?
Assessments are carried out by industry trained Home Performance Advisors. On completion of an assessment, you will be provided with an “HHS Compliance Certificate” which will tell you which standards the property has met and which if any are non-compliant.
What do we inspect?
We check for all components of the HHS and can quote* to install most items that may be non-compliant.
*The only things that we don’t quote for are draught-stopping and drainage - but we can still assess both. Then once landlords have had any remedial work completed, and can show it is compliant, we can update your report free of charge (at the landlords request).
What happens if my property needs work done?
If a standard is found to be “non-compliant” during the assessment, we will provide you with a personalised quote to bring it up to standard. Remedial work undertaken by Sustainability Trust will be completed by qualified electricians and trade qualified insulation installers (IAONZ).
When do I get certification?
After work is completed using our services, we will provide you with a Compliance Certificate free of charge.
If you choose to have work carried out by your own tradespeople (for insulation or ground vapour barrier) and a second visit is required to sign off the Compliance Certificate, the recheck will cost $125+GST.
Additional Information
Read the HHS online brochure from Tenancy Services, for more in-depth information on how to meet the standards.
Need help with your rental property? Fill out the form below
Healthy Homes Standards, what are they?
Heating
There must be one or more fixed heater(s) that can directly heat the living room to at least 18C. Certain heating devices that are inefficient or unaffordable or unhealthy will not meet the requirements
Insulation
Some existing insulation will need to be topped up or replaced. Depending on location, ceiling insulation needs to meet R-values, or existing insulation must be at least 120mm thick
Ventilation
There must be windows, skylights or doors that open to the outside in the living room, dining room, kitchen & bedrooms.
There must be extractor fans in kitchens + bathrooms that vent outside.
Moisture & Drainage
There must be adequate drainage, guttering and downpipes. Rental properties with an enclosed subfloor must have a ground moisture barrier
Draught Stopping
Landlords must block any unreasonable gaps & holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors + doors that cause noticeable draughts.
Not sure if your property meets the new standards?
Get in touch or call us on 0508 78 78 24
Across the Wellington region we also offer:
Free private property assessment and quote - Or home energy experts will advise the options available, and those best suited for your home and budget.
Expert advice and education - You can have access to a detailed, customised action plan on how to keep your home warm, healthy and energy-efficient.
Full supply and install service - Our professional and experienced electricians will ensure the installation meets our years of high standards.
