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 must ensure that their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Timberlea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in 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 Draught-stopping within Timberlea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

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

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

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

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.