Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and offer a report with all the information required 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Tawa, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Tawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about 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 households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.