Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found 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 fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Tawa, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Tawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Tawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tawa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.