Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on 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 the property in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Takapuwahia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of 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 more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.