Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 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. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Takapuwahia rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in 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 whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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

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

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.