Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an 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 well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices 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 may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.