Changes to the Healthy Homes Standards (HHS) came into effect on 12 May 2022. In addition to the changes to heating (described in my previous blog), there are minor changes to the ventilation, and moisture ingress and drainage standards.
The ventilation standard now allows systems that provide continuous ventilation from kitchens and bathrooms to meet the ventilation standard as long as they comply with the following:
Where renovations have been carried out and a continuous mechanical ventilation system has been installed, the system must:
There are two situations where exemptions from the ventilation standard may apply. The most generally applicable exemption is where it is not reasonably practicable to install mechanical ventilation either because:
The other, less commonly applicable exemption applies to a room where, if the ventilation required for the room was compliant at the time it was built or converted to a habitable space, and the ventilation still meets those same requirements, it may be exempted from the ventilation standard.
A ground moisture barrier must be installed in enclosed subfloor spaces of rental properties. (Note that a ground moisture barrier is not a requirement under the Building Code or for a building consent.)
Where it is not reasonably practicable to install a barrier in a subfloor space, the landlord is not required to install an alternative moisture barrier.
Specific exemptions to installing a ground moisture barrier are where:
For more information, go the website here.