Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The 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 myriad of concerns you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.