Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide the 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 violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable 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 landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• 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 meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.