The Insulation Situation: One Year Left For Landlords To Comply

MBIE has been reminding landlords and property managers they have until July 1 2019 to meet the new requirements. Here’s an introduction:

• Rental properties (that don’t currently meet minimum levels of insulation) will need to be insulated to a level that is the same as the current building code insulation requirements for new homes.
• Landlords must make all reasonable efforts to find out what insulation is in their rental property. This includes physically looking, engaging a professional to do an assessment, or checking the council building file and filling in any shortcomings in the property’s insulation.
• Insulation statements must be included in all new tenancy agreements. Landlords must disclose whether there is insulation in the rental home, where it is, what type and what condition it is in
• A landlord who does not make a complete insulation statement or includes anything they know to be false may be liable for a penalty of up to $500.

If you would like an easy-to-use insulation statement to include in your information for tenants, click the following to download one: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/assets/Forms-templates/insulation-statement.pdf.

Your main guide to the new requirements is the following: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Insulation-requirements.pdf

Homeowners with Community Services Cards, or living in an area deemed as lower-income are eligible for grants covering 67% of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation.