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? Landlords now have to make sure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.