Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

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 must ensure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Takapuwahia rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient 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 house is an ideal home

Insulation Takapuwahia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.