Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of 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 specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.