Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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 contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Tawa

Rental properties in Tawa need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This 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 high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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, underfloor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.