Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for both 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 Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Tawa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have 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 comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if 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 home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.