To be clear, there is a difference between a healthy homes compliance statement and a healthy homes compliance certificate.
A healthy homes compliance statement is a compulsory statement that needs to be filled out by landlords as part of their tenancy agreement. This is a mandatory requirement under the Act.
A healthy homes compliance certificate is a document supplied by a Healthy Homes contractor or verified professional/tradesperson to confirm the rental property meets all the standards. You do not have to obtain a Healthy Homes compliance certificate to meet the Standards, nor are you required to share it with your tenants.
From 1 December 2020, landlords must include a signed healthy homes standards compliance statement in most new or renewed tenancy agreements.
If an inspection shows that the property complies with the Healthy Homes Standards, then no re-inspection is required. The property stays compliant until the rules change/are updated.
The main thing to look out for is to ensure that the property doesn't develop problems down the track - that no new gaps are formed, that insulation doesn't sag, that heaters are maintained, and filters are cleaned.
Doing a more thorough check annually or in between tenancies would be a good habit to develop. If you're not confident about conducting these checks yourself, you can always get someone to come over to inspect the property for you. For example, you can book a HHS assessment that checks property compliance like the one provided by Warm Fuzzies.
The information contained in this article is exclusively for promotional purposes. It does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any legal action or contractual dealings. The information is not, and does not attempt to be, a comprehensive account of the relevant law in New Zealand. If you require legal advice you should seek independent legal counsel. myRent.co.nz does not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.
