Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Tawa rental properties.

Start now and call about the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.