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 are now required to ensure that their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area 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, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile 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 a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.