Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information 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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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 items need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest 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 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Takapuwahia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Takapuwahia rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Takapuwahia

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.