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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Timberlea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Timberlea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Timberlea

Rental properties in Timberlea should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most 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 wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that 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 spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Timberlea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Standards in Timberlea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.