Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to 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 the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Tawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation 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 right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans 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 and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.