Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is 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 Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system 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 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.