Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum 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 require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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