Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Timberlea, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Timberlea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Timberlea rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Timberlea

Rental properties in Timberlea should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our 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.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Timberlea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed 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 stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Timberlea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.