Understanding The Healthy Homes Standard Compliance Statement Deadline

Earlier this year we welcomed the Government's announcement of the extended deadline from 1 July 2020 to 1 December 2020 for landlords to include detailed information in their tenancy agreements about how their property meets the Healthy Homes Standards. Now that this deadline is almost upon us, we checked in with Samantha Arnold, General Manager of Property Management to find out what landlords need to know about meeting this deadline.

What should landlords know about the Compliance Statement?

From 1 December 2020, a statement of compliance must be included in new or renewed tenancy agreements. For Barfoot & Thompson managed properties, we have been in touch with landlords to ensure that their rentals have been assessed and that their compliance statements are completed ahead of the deadline. 

Whilst the compliance statement is not required in certain circumstances as listed below, our advice and best industry practice is for landlords to become compliant as soon as possible: 

• It is not required if the tenancy is fixed-term and ends before the Healthy Homes Standard compliance dates for the tenancy.
• A statement is also not needed with any agreements for fixed terms entered into before 1 July 2021 and which end after that date (e.g. a 12-month fixed term starting 1 January 2021 would end on 1 January 2022 and the compliance date is 90 days after that - 1 April 2022). A statement is needed for any new or renewed or varied agreements after 1 July 2021.

Tenancy services provide this decision tool to find out if the compliance statement should be included in a tenancy agreement. Check it out. 

What does the compliance statement cover?

The compliance statement is comprehensive and covers all five Healthy Homes Standards (heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping)  and exemptions, to ensure landlords meet their obligations under the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019.

What about penalties?

Landlords that don’t comply could face a financial penalty of up to $500. From 11 February 2021, failing to complete the compliance statement could result in an infringement offense.

Any final advice?

With the ever-changing rental landscape, ensuring compliance can be a full-time job and one that landlords don’t want to get caught out on. For landlords that are not using property management services, it may be worth considering even for a short term period to help you through the overwhelming compliance process. Get in touch with one of our property managers who will take the hassle out of managing your rental property.