Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully 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 to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.