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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Tawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Tawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting 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 homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs 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 from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most 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 outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.