Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even 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 and result 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 today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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 for 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 homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.