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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a 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 cold home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine 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 water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.