Making your rental warm and comfortable

The new Healthy Home Standards became law on 1 July 2019, which means heating up a rental property should become easier!! While the minimum standards became law on 1 July 2019, landlords have until July 2021 to implement an extractor fans, draughts and heating in the living area. We now have one year to complete this. What was demonstrated with the first round of insulation is that it is way better to get on with this sooner rather than later before stocks run out. Now that properties are required to have the minimum standards of ceiling and underfloor insulation where possible, extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, a fixed heating source in the main living area and any noticeable draughts blocked, there are things that can be done to help warm the rooms up to a comfortable temperature and retain the warmth. Here are some options we’ve put together that landlords and tenants can follow to help make the properties cosier that don’t cost earth to do so. For landlords Check for draughts on windows and doors: It will be easier for the tenants to heat a house if there’s no way of the warmth to escape. Provide draught-stoppers along the bottom of doors and check for windows that can’t close properly. If you do find windows that are letting the warm air escape, you can buy a roll of sealing tape from a DIY store, which can be easily applied to the window. Heaters: Under the new law, there must be a fixed heating source that can directly heat the main living area to at least 18degrees celcius. The heater must not be an open fire or an unflued combustion heater like portable LPG bottle, as they give off a lot of moisture and potentially dangerous gases. Check the heating system is clean and efficient: If the property has a heat pump or wood burner, make sure you clean the heat pump’s filter regularly, as a blocked filter can make it run inefficiently. Always important to get the chimney cleaned. For tenants Ventilation: Under the new law, landlords have been required to install extractor fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. But it’s your responsibility to use them and keep moisture to a minimum. If they aren’t working properly, ask your landlord or property manager to get an electrician in to look at them. Also, if there’s someone home during the day, open the windows to air the house out and avoid drying clothes inside. Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier will have an upfront expense, but it can actually be an economical way to take the chill off a room as well as drying it out. Under the new Healthy Home Standards, landlords should make sure that their rental home can be well heated and ventilated. Tenants are responsible for ventilating the home during their tenancy and use the provided heat source. If you are managing your own property and want someone to help you navigate these new rules, or to do it on your behalf, get in touch with yukari.property@gmail.com