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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Tawa, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from 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 physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Tawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.