Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

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 ensure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Takapuwahia rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Takapuwahia rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off 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 building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 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 for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Takapuwahia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture 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 to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Takapuwahia

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.