Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Timberlea 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes 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 violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully 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 on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Timberlea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Timberlea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Timberlea

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Timberlea

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent 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 Timberlea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.