Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for 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 for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about having 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 houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.