Posted on 13 04 2021

What You Need to Know About the Healthy Homes Heating Standard

We have come to our final Healthy Homes Standard. Over the last few months, we have covered ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, draught stopping, and insulation.

As of 1 July 2021, all private rental properties are required to comply with these new standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy. Not complying with these reforms can result in exemplary and financial damages of up to $4000 against the landlord. It is then vital that you clearly understand these changes.

 

The Heating Standard

This standard states that there must be one or more fixed heaters (meaning it must not be portable) in a property's main living room. The main living room is defined as the room that is used for general use and is typically the largest in the home.

As well as being fixed, the heater, or heaters, must also have at least 1.5 kW heating capacity. The required heating capacity can be calculated using the Heating Assessment Tool.

Open fires or unflued combustion heaters will not meet the standard. Acceptable heaters include heat pumps and electrical heaters. However, you cannot use an electric heater if the main living room has a heating capacity of over 2.4 kW (unless you are topping up existing heating installed before 1 July 2019).

 

Existing heating

If you already have a heating element in your rental property, you will not be required to install additional heating. However, your existing heaters must:

• Have been installed before 1 July 2019
• Each has a heating capacity of more than 2.4 kW
• Not be an open fire or portable heater
• Not be electrical heaters if the room's heating capacity is over 2.4 kW
• Have a total heating capacity that is 90% of what is needed to meet the required heating capacity

 

Top-up

Similar to insulation, 'topping up' your heating to meet the new requirements is also acceptable. In cases where a property's heating doesn't meet the standard, you may add a fixed heater to 'top up' your heating.

If you are topping up, then you are required to meet these conditions:

• Existing heating was installed before 1 July 2019
• The heating capacity is more than 2.4 kW
• The top up needed is 1.5 kW or less

 

Exemptions

While the majority of rental properties will be required to meet the heating standard, there are a few exceptions.

These exemptions include:

• Cases where it is not reasonable to installed qualifying heating devices
• Where the property is a certified passive billing

It is considered not 'reasonably practical' to install a heating device when a professional installer cannot access the area without:

• Carrying out significant building work
• Causing severe damage to the property
• Creating risk to health or safety

 

With this being the last standard, we want to remind landlords and property owners that the team of experts at Greenside is here to help you ensure your rental property is compliant with all five of the new standards.

Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.