Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of 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 each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Takapuwahia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Takapuwahia rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure 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 Underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.