Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Tawa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

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 a minimum of 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 heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Tawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 remainder of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.