Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Tawa, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Tawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, 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 moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.