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 of July 2021? Landlords must 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 are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed 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 relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Timberlea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Timberlea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether 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 like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Timberlea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.