How to Insulate a Rental House: Our Guide
Proper insulation is essential to the comfort and safety of your rental tenants. Property owners must adhere to strict insulation requirements for NZ rentals to ensure their rental homes are clean, safe, and well-maintained. If you’re planning to rent your property, here’s everything you should know, including how to insulate a rental house.
What are the insulation requirements in rental properties?
Healthy Homes requires property managers and landlords to meet the minimum insulation standards in NZ. From July 1, 2021, any new or renewed tenancies must meet the Healthy Homes insulation standards, with all rental properties needing to comply by July 1, 2024.
What does this mean for landlords?
Landlords are obligated to install underfloor and ceiling insulation where possible. They must provide a statement summarising the level of insulation in the property within the tenancy agreement. Failure to comply will result in hefty fines. Properties, specifically private rentals, must meet this standard by July 1, 2024.
However, there are some exceptions to the insulation requirements. Due to the design of construction of some properties, it may not be practicable to install insulation. Some of these instances include:
- An apartment where someone lives above and below.
- A house built on a concrete slab where underfloor installation is not feasible.
- A House with skillion roofs with no ceiling space to install insulation.
- A landlord plans to demolish or rebuild the house within the next year.
Landlords must consult with experienced professionals or builders if they have doubts about installing insulation.
Why does insulation matter?
A well-insulated home provides comfort, regular temperatures, and offers safety from mould and mildew. Additionally, landlords can save money on energy bills. Insulation increases the heat retained inside your home, requiring less energy to keep warm through winter. If your rental home has insulation installed incorrectly, it can cause severe damage to your home and wallet!
How do you test if your rental is insulated?
As a landlord, you must ensure your accommodation meets the relevant standards, including good thermal insulation. Here’s how you can test if your home is well-insulated.
Check temperatures throughout your home
Consistent temperatures throughout your home indicate good insulation. If rooms have different temperatures—freezing in the kitchen but too warm in the bedroom, your rental home may be under-insulated.
Review energy bills
Look at your rental home’s energy bills over the last few years and look for any sudden increases. Extreme temperature shifts are another sign of poor insulation. But you will know this if you receive high energy bills, it could be time to replace your insulation.
Do a touch test
Interior ceilings, walls, and floors in your rental home should feel warm and dry. If these areas feel damp or cold, there may not be enough insulation.
Keep an eye on water leaks in the attic
Poor insulation lets the heat outside and water inside. Water has a much easier time finding its way to poorly insulated homes. If you’re experiencing a leaky attic, it’s wise to check whether poor insulation is the reason. After all, you don’t want water damage to cause more costly problems down the line.
Ensure proper insulation for your rental home with Aeon
Insulation is a must for all rental homes. Spare yourself from costly fines and potential safety hazards with proper insulation installation. Aeon Energy Solutions provide free home consultations to ensure your rental meets the standard. We offer home insulation installation services in Hamilton, Cambridge, and the wider Waikato region. If your rental already has insulation, we can review it to ensure it’s in top condition and meets the suitable R-value.
We take the hassle away by providing a statement of insulation that you can provide for future tenants. Manage your rental properties with ease with the help of our team. For a warm and healthy rental home, contact us! Book your free home assessment today.