Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure 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 this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.