Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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 for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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 comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Timberlea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Timberlea

Rental properties in Timberlea require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Timberlea

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

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. 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 Timberlea

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.