Healthy Homes Assessment Tawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Tawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to assess 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 contract is signed on a Tawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Tawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Tawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tawa

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Tawa

Tawa rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Tawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

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

Tawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Tawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.