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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Totara Park 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 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Totara Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home 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 the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Totara Park

Totara Park rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Totara Park

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and 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. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Totara Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for 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 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just 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 into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Totara Park

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Totara Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.