Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Timberlea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Timberlea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Timberlea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Timberlea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.