Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

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 now have to ensure their Totara Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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 tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Totara Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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 Totara Park rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Totara Park

Rental properties in Totara Park should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Totara Park

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Totara Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Totara Park

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Totara Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.