Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to assess both 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 Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Tawa rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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 Tawa

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.