Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Totara Park, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Totara Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Totara Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Totara Park

Rental properties in Totara Park require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Totara Park

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Totara Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Totara Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.