Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Tawa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger 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 may be sufficient.

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

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.