Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Takapuwahia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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 within Takapuwahia rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia require a reliable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.