Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Te Awa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Te Awa, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Awa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Te Awa rental properties.

Start now and call about the Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Awa

Te Awa rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 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 health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awa

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.