Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine 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 tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Takapuwahia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Takapuwahia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. 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 crucial for well-being homes

Heating Takapuwahia

Rental properties in Takapuwahia must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Takapuwahia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

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

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.