Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 rent homes in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Takapuwahia rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in 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 as Draught Control on Takapuwahia rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath 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 is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.