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 now have to make sure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may 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 live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Tawa, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.