Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After 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 information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Tawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Tawa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.