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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found 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 properties and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Timberlea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Timberlea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Timberlea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.