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? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rentals must 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Takapuwahia rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Takapuwahia rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.