AUGUST 2020: Compliance with the Healthy Homes Act at our Body Corporate

The Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 became law on 1 July 2019. The regulations include requirements for landlords of rental properties to comply with healthy homes standards. The compliance date for landlords has been changed from 1 July 2020 to 1 December 2020, due to COVID-19. Landlords must include a statement of their current level of compliance with the Healthy Homes Standards in any new, varied or renewed tenancy agreement.

If you are an owner who is a landlord, or plans to be, then this applies to you and it is your responsibility to comply with the standards and to seek an exemption if you cannot comply.

The body corporate committee resolved at its meeting on 11 August 2020 to decline all applications for installation of heat pumps, vented fans and similar installations that go through external walls that are part of the common property. 

The reason for the Committee’s decision is primarily that the body corporate operational rules do not allow for private installations that go through external walls that are common property. This applies to all starblock units. However, installation in other blocks such as row houses and maisonette balconies or courtyards also require the permission of the body corporate committee as they are external to the building (even though in private property).

The committee has made this decision to assist owners who are landlords to obtain exemptions from the standards and in particular, a partial exemption from the heating standards, if required. Note however, that landlords will still need to take all reasonable steps to ensure the property complies with the healthy homes standards to the greatest extent reasonably practicable. In the case of heating standards, this means by installing other forms of heating (i.e. than a heat pump).

The general exemptions include:

If a rental property is part of a building and the landlord does not own the entire building (for example, if a landlord owns an apartment). The landlord will be partially exempt from complying with parts of the standards if their ability to comply with the healthy homes standards is impeded because:  

–  they need to install or provide something in a part of the building where the landlord is not the sole owner, or  

–  they need access to a part of the building that they are not the sole owner.  

There is also a relevant specific exemption that only applies to the heating standard:

A landlord is not required to install a heater where it is not reasonably practicable to install one.  

The definition of ‘reasonably practicable’ includes it not being reasonably practicable to install something if the body corporate has a rule which prohibits the installation of external heating units on common property without the consent of the body corporate.

 

 

 

 

Exterior Modifications / Additions

No exterior modifications or additions maybe made or erected (awnings, pergolas) to the exterior of buildings or any unit without obtaining the prior consent of the Body Corporate Committee, as most of the exteriors of buildings and outsides of fences are common property and owned by the Body Corporate.

Interior Maintenance/Renovations to Your Unit

Contact the Building and Grounds Manager for water supply shutdown. It must not be shutdown before 9a.m. or after 4p.m.
Smoke detectors in the common areas can be activated by dust from inside a unit when renovations are underway.
If heat detectors in units are disturbed the fire alarm will be activated. It may be best to get Wormald to isolate the heat detectors at the cost of the unit owner.
No power tools can be used on a Sunday.
Heavy objects must be taken to or from units in a way that does not damage common property walls or floors.
Contractors must ensure they cause minimum inconvenience to all other owners/tenants.
All work must be carried out in a proper workmanlike manner.
Place plywood over floor outside unit to protect it.
Work must not start before 8a.m.
Don’t unplug TV amp in star block buildings.
Use of power tools must stop at 5:30p.m.

When you decide to renovate:

1. Talk to your neighbours

Do not turn the water off at the meter as all residents will then be without water.  If you are unsure where to turn water off, contact the Building and Grounds Manager.

2. Watch the noise

If you plan to renovate and know it will be disruptive to your neighbours, be considerate and speak to them about your planned work before you begin.

3. Keep the dust down

When renovating a star block apartment, use dust sheets on the landings to catch dust.

4. Keep it green

Avoid using the lawn as a parking lot.  Heavy work vehicles gouge the lawn, leaving a muddy mess.

5. Leave the site tidy

While working, do not block exit-ways with materials or tools.  At the end of the day, ensure all materials and building waste are stored away and any common areas are left clean and tidy.

6. Remove your waste

Hire a bin to remove your building waste. Do not use the community rubbish bins

Please try to keep the Building and Grounds Manager up to speed with your renovations.  The Building and Grounds Manager will be able to advise on any queries you may have,