Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete 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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the 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 Tawa, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Tawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Tawa

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.