Rental property owners encouraged to improve insulation

In November of last year, the Otago Community Trust committed $700,000 towards insulating more low income homes across the Otago region.  This funding investment specifically supports EECA’s Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme and enables more rental properties in Otago to comply with the new government regulations.

“The Government’s subsidised insulation scheme changed from 1 July 2016 with the focus now shifting to rental properties” explains Chief Executive Barbara Bridger.  The Trust has provided funding support to Smart Energy Solutions and Technobond to allow further low income homes to become warmer, healthier and more efficient. 

Smart Energy Solutions, Director Paul Thomson highlights that this is an ideal opportunity for Otago landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties making them healthier, warmer and ultimately more rentable long term. “We would encourage property owners to capitalise on the opportunity for the benefit of their tenants” he said.

What has changed? Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme

Tenancy agreements now require landlords to disclose whether there is insulation in the rental home, where it is, what type and what condition it is in, allowing tenants to make informed decisions. 

By 1 July 2019 all rental properties will be required to have ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting a set standard, where reasonably practicable. A landlord who fails to comply with the regulations may be liable for a penalty.

Criteria for insulation funding

There are a limited number of grants for 50% of the cost - these are available on a first come first served basis if the rental property meets the following criteria;

• Rental property was built before the year 2000,and
• Named tenant has a Community Services Card, or
• Named tenant referred by the Ministry of Health's Healthy Homes programme, and
• Rental property is not owned by a Government agency

How to apply for insulation funding

If you are a tenant or landlord, contact Smart Energy Solutions – 0800 888 766, Technobond – 03 476 6074 or Cosy Homes 021 999 395 to learn more. They will advise whether you are eligible for funding and the process for getting your rental property insulated.

If you don't qualify for a Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme, there may be other funding options available and also payment options with local councils to help you with the cost. This includes adding the cost to your rates.

In November of last year, the Otago Community Trust committed $700,000 towards insulating more low income homes across the Otago region.  This funding investment specifically supports EECA’s Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme and enables more rental properties in Otago to comply with the new government regulations.

“The Government’s subsidised insulation scheme changed from 1 July 2016 with the focus now shifting to rental properties” explains Chief Executive Barbara Bridger.  The Trust has provided funding support to Smart Energy Solutions and Technobond to allow further low income homes to become warmer, healthier and more efficient. 

Smart Energy Solutions, Director Paul Thomson highlights that this is an ideal opportunity for Otago landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties making them healthier, warmer and ultimately more rentable long term. “We would encourage property owners to capitalise on the opportunity for the benefit of their tenants” he said.

What has changed? Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme

Tenancy agreements now require landlords to disclose whether there is insulation in the rental home, where it is, what type and what condition it is in, allowing tenants to make informed decisions. 

By 1 July 2019 all rental properties will be required to have ceiling and underfloor insulation meeting a set standard, where reasonably practicable. A landlord who fails to comply with the regulations may be liable for a penalty.

Criteria for insulation funding

There are a limited number of grants for 50% of the cost - these are available on a first come first served basis if the rental property meets the following criteria;

• Rental property was built before the year 2000,and
• Named tenant has a Community Services Card, or
• Named tenant referred by the Ministry of Health's Healthy Homes programme, and
• Rental property is not owned by a Government agency

How to apply for insulation funding

If you are a tenant or landlord, contact Smart Energy Solutions – 0800 888 766, Technobond – 03 476 6074 or Cosy Homes 021 999 395 to learn more. They will advise whether you are eligible for funding and the process for getting your rental property insulated.

If you don't qualify for a Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental programme, there may be other funding options available and also possible payment options with local councils to help you with the cost. This includes adding the cost to your rates.