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 that their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing 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 diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.