Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide 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 lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Tawa

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

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

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent 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 with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to 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 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.