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 now have to ensure that their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up 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 as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. 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’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies 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 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.