The living room of a rental is heated only by a portable unflued gas heater supplied by the landlord. Does this meet the healthy homes heating standard?
Correct Answer
D) No; unflued combustion heaters can never be qualifying heaters.
Regulation 9 of the Healthy Homes Standards Regulations 2019 says a qualifying heater must be installed as a fixture, be in or supply heat to the living room, have at least 1.5 kW capacity, have a thermostat if electric or a heat pump, and not be an unacceptable heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters are unacceptable (reg 9(2)).
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Regulation 9(2)(b) lists unflued combustion heaters as unacceptable heaters.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Yes, provided it can heat the living room to at least 18°C.
An unflued combustion heater is an unacceptable heater under reg 9(2)(b) whatever its output.
Option B: Yes, if its heating capacity is at least 1.5 kW and it has a thermostat.
Qualifying heaters must also be fixed and not unacceptable; unflued gas fails both tests.
Option C: No, but only because portable heaters need a thermostat to qualify.
The core problem is that unflued combustion heaters are unacceptable heaters.
Background Knowledge for Property Management
Source: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2019/0088/latest/whole.html
Exam Tip for Property Management
Heating: fixed, 1.5 kW or more, and never an open fire or unflued heater.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Property Management Questions
- •Thinking any heater with enough output will pass.
More Property Management Questions
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Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for all rental properties under the Healthy Homes standards?
A periodic tenancy began 8 months ago and the rent has never been raised. If the landlord gives written notice today, when is the earliest a rent increase can take effect?
A property manager discovers a tenant has been subletting rooms without permission for 6 months, generating significant income. The head tenant is otherwise compliant and rent is current. What factors would most influence the Tenancy Tribunal's decision on termination?
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, what is the most a landlord can charge as a general bond (not counting any separate pet bond)?
- → Which of the following is NOT a mandatory requirement for tenancy agreements under the Residential Tenancies Act?
- → How much notice must a landlord give a tenant before conducting a routine property inspection?
- → A tenant has given 21 days' notice to terminate a periodic tenancy but wants to leave 5 days early. What must happen for this to be legally acceptable?
- → A tenant claims bond refund for $1,200 but the landlord disputes $400 for carpet cleaning. The tenant disagrees and applies to the Tenancy Tribunal. What happens to the bond during this dispute?
- → How often may a landlord carry out routine inspections during a tenancy?
- → A landlord wants to increase rent for a periodic tenancy. What is the minimum notice period they must give?
- → During a property inspection, a property manager discovers the tenant has installed a spa pool without permission. What is the most appropriate first step?
- → By what date did all private rental properties in New Zealand have to comply with the healthy homes standards?
- → A property manager conducts an inspection and finds the tenant has installed a heat pump without permission. The tenancy agreement prohibits alterations without consent. What can the landlord legally require?
- → During a property inspection, a landlord notices the tenant has changed the locks. Under what circumstances is this legally permitted?
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