Reasonably practicable insulation

Karey asks:
(updated on Wednesday, November 28th 2018)

I was wondering about the defintion of 'reasonably practicable' when it comes to meeting the requirement for insulating a rental property? I have a small unit that was insulated at the time of being built (circa 1994) but does not meet the current R-Value rating.

There is no access to ceiling space (it is gib ceiling without manhole) and if there was access, the space in sloped roof ranges from 10cm to 1.5 metre high. The walls (gib internally & hardie board externally) are also insulated but again do not meet current R-Value. The floor is concrete slab.

Our Experts Answer:

The Tenancy Services website contains a very informative booklet that you can download: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Insulation-requirements.pdf . It describes what is required and what you may interpret as reasonably practicable. In short, common sense applies – if you can insulate the ceiling space or under the floor, you must do so. If you cannot (ceiling or floor), that area is exempt from the requirement.

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