Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

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

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

Start now and call about getting a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC 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 health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full 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 for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and 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 water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Timberlea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.