Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

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 must make sure their Te Awa 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 must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding 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 of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Te Awa, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Awa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Te Awa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Awa

Te Awa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awa

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the household to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.