Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s 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 work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs 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 and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Tawa

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.