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 now have to make sure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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