Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Tawa 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 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 to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required 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 an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Tawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps 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 Tawa

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.