Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into 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 by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable 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.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.