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 must ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

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 houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Tawa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the 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
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.