Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for 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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for 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, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done 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 an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Takapuwahia

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

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, 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 in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.