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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Totara Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Totara Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Totara Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Totara Park

Totara Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Totara Park

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Totara Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop 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 Totara Park

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Totara Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.