Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Timberlea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Timberlea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Timberlea

Rental properties in Timberlea require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

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 heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Timberlea

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• 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, 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

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need 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 house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.