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Healthy Homes Standards Compliance

Importance of Bathroom Ventilation

Importance of Bathroom Ventilation

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Ventilation is one of the most important aspects of a bathroom. Every house owner should think about proper bathroom ventilation to prevent humidity. There are various types of ventilation, like extract fan or windows. Both help improve ventilation in a home. These are also helpful in reducing mould development in bathrooms. The healthy home standard requires all bathrooms “to have mechanical extract ventilation, in addition to opening windows in habitable rooms.”

Determine the Correct Fan Size

Before installing a new bathroom exhaust fan, check the size of the fan. According to the Healthy Home Standards, the extract fan should meet minimum requirements either by exhaust capacity or size. It is recommended to consult a professional before buying or installing an extract fan. A trades person will guide you about which exhaust fan is right for you.

Choose Proper Fan Locations

Before installing a bathroom extract fan, pay attention to where the exhaust air will go. Air should be ducted outside and not into your house walls. Exhaust fans can be installed in a duct, on the roof or in a wall. Extract fan location will depend on the type of housing. It is important to look for the airflow pattern to choose the installation location. You should also consult with your trades person about where it is best to install an exhaust fan in your bathroom.

Reduced Condensation

Bathroom ventilation is helpful for reducing condensation. The best way to reduce condensation is to open a window. If your bathroom does not have a window then it will have an extract fan. After using the bathroom, you can leave the extract fan on for 10 – 15 minutes.

Prevent Mould and Mildew

Good ventilation helps in removing trapped moisture, it also helps in preventing mould development and mildew growth in the bathroom. With better bathroom ventilation, you will have lesser stress about your health.

Minimize Bacteria Growth

Bacteria growth in your house or bathroom can cause a lot of health issues. Dampness in the bathroom increases bacteria growth. Switching on the bathroom fan for at least 15 – 20 minutes can decease and eliminate a lot of problems.

Healthy and Safe

Bathroom exhaust fans are a necessity. They keep you safe and play an important role in odour control. They help in venting out the humid air.

In simple words, bathroom ventilation is a long goal. Improper ventilation can be harmful for your health and your home. Bathroom ventilation is good for fresh air. When you think about installing a bathroom fan, you are thinking about the health of your home. A good ventilated bathroom can have a positive impact on your walls and ceiling.

As mentioned on the Tenancy website, “Bathrooms – In any room with a shower or bath, new fans installed after 1 July 2019 must have a minimum diameter (including ducting) of 120mm or an exhaust capacity of at least 25 litres per second.” Check your bathroom ventilation requirements with the help of Tenancy Ventilation Tool.

Make Rental Properties Healthy Homes Standards Compliant

Make Rental Properties Healthy Homes Standards Compliant

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New Zealand’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development announced new Healthy Homes standards or HHS. They are committed to make every rental home a warm, safe and healthy home to live in. Approximately 600,000 households rent in New Zealand. Rental properties have different quality compared to the home owner’s properties. These healthy standards will help in improving the quality of the rental properties as well as the lifestyle of the tenants.

Healthy Homes standards will ensure significant change in the quality of the house. Healthy Homes standards or HHS covers heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, drainage, and draught stopping improvements for rental properties. Each segment has a minimum set of requirements. These improvements must be followed by landlords across New Zealand.

Healthy Homes Required Standard

NZ government has defined a minimum requirement under each category of Healthy Homes standard for all residential rental properties.

Heating

The fixed heating devices must be capable of reaching at least 18°C in the living room only. Some heating systems are not capable of producing much heat for the room to stay warm. They are inefficient and do not meet the heating requirements.

Insulation

Ceiling and underfloor insulation must comply with the 2008 Building Code or should meet the minimum thickness of 120mm.

Ventilation

Openable windows must be in the dining room, living room, bedroom, and kitchen. A bath or shower and indoor cooktop must have an appropriately sized exhaust fan.

Moisture Ingress and Drainage

There should be efficient downpipes, drainage, and guttering in the rental properties. Any enclosed floor must have ground moisture barrier if it can be installed.

Draught Stopping

All unnecessary holes or gaps must be covered up by the landlord. These gaps or holes can be in the walls, ceiling, floors, windows, and doors. Additionally, unused fireplaces and chimneys should be removed or blocked as well.

Compliance Timeframes

1 July 2021 – From this date, private landlords must ensure that their rental properties comply with HHS within 90 days of any new tenancy.

1 July 2021 – All boarding houses must comply with the HHS.

1 July 2023 – All Housing New Zealand and registered Community Housing Provider houses must comply with the HHS.

1 July 2024 – All rental homes must comply with the HHS.