Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

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 now have to ensure that their Totara Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is 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 only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Totara Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Totara Park rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted 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 and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Totara Park

Totara Park rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Totara Park

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Totara Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Totara Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Totara Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.