These regulations, which come into force on 30 June 2020, change the date by which landlords must include in any new or renewed tenancy agreements a statement of their level of compliance with the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 (the healthy homes standards).

Section 13A of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) sets out the information that must be included in a tenancy agreement. Under section 13A(1CA), landlords must include a statement that they will comply with the healthy homes standards, as well as (under regulations 33 to 39 of the healthy homes standards) detailed information about the landlord’s current level of compliance. The information concerning the landlord’s current level of compliance must be included in any tenancy agreement or renewal made and signed by the landlord on or after 1 July 2020.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions has meant that landlords have been unable to collect the compliance information needed for the statement (for example, landlords have been unable to access properties in order to assess insulation levels). Accordingly, regulation 4 amends clause 11(1) of Schedule 1 to delay the date by which landlords will be required to include this information from 1 July 2020 to 1 December 2020. The deadlines for landlords to meet the healthy homes standards are unchanged.