Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both 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 contract is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about getting a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Takapuwahia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

See the full details of the 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 rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.