Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Timberlea 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Timberlea, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Timberlea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Timberlea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test 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.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Timberlea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.