Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

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 are now required to ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, 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 could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a 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.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.