Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.