Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Tawa, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This 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 require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to 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 with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values 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 high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important 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 the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.