Landlords Encouraged to Insulate Now

Landlords encouraged to insulate now

The insulation and property management industries are encouraging landlords to insulate their properties sooner rather than later to ensure they will comply with the installation standard NZS 4246 under the Residential Tenancies Act by the July 1, 2019 deadline. This follows a survey of Insulation Association of New Zealand (IAONZ) members that indicates around 170,000 rental properties throughout New Zealand still need insulating.

“The urgency to insulate has not yet been realised by rental property owners. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment has estimated that throughout New Zealand 180,000 homes don’t have any, or the required level of insulation. Auckland and Northland account for around a third of the backlog; with around 60,000 rental properties needing insulation,”says Barfoot & Thompson Director Kiri Barfoot.

“The IAONZ survey released today has highlighted that only 10,000 rental properties have been insulated in the past year, leaving a backlog of 170,000 houses.

“IAONZ is warning rental property owners that the situation is reaching the point of no return, where insulation installers won’t be able to meet demand,” says Ms Barfoot.

To encourage rental property owners to insulate now and ensure warmer, drier homes sooner for tenants, Barfoot & Thompson is for a limited time offering floor or ceiling insulation at a substantially reduced price for new landlords, with up to 50 percent paid for by Barfoot & Thompson.

“We want landlords to think seriously about insulating now. We also know from tenant feedback that it is a drawcard for rental properties, making them warmer, dryer and cheaper to heat.

“Insulation is becoming compulsory because there is internationally regarded research showing that retrofitting insulation into homes in New Zealand translates to improved health for occupants, including fewer colds and flu, and reduced asthma symptoms in children1.

“Anyone who lived through this year’s very wet winter can attest to the fact that dampness is a challenge in Auckland. Insulation is one way to help decrease the risk of damp in a house.

“At the same time, we know the cost of insulating can be daunting for rental property owners. Many owners are not eligible for the Government’s insulation grant programme. Typically, floor and ceiling insulation and installation for a 100m2 property can cost upwards of $3,000, not including GST.

“But what we’re saying is, don’t wait. The cost will still be there in a year’s time, and you may also be faced with the reality of missing the compliance deadline and a fine of up to $4,000.

“New properties signed up to Barfoot & Thompson Property Management that need insulation will be eligible for 50 percent off the cost of floor or ceiling insulation and installation for up to 100m2. We have also negotiated a 40 percent discount towards floor or ceiling insulation for properties we already manage through PinkBatts supplier Mitre 10 using PinkFit’s network of installers.

“It’s already compulsory for new Tenancy Agreements to have an insulation statement. We would love for all of the properties we manage to be compliant well in advance of the July 2019 deadline,” says Ms Barfoot.

About the insulation offer:

The installation scheme is running through Mitre 10, using leading New Zealand insulation product PinkBatts and PinkFit’s network of installers.

Terms & conditions apply. Details can be found on Barfoot & Thompson’s website

https://www.barfoot.co.nz/insulation.

1. Housing, Insulation and Health Study

http://www.healthyhousing.org.nz/research/past-research/housing-insulation-and-health-study/

ENDS

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