Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed for 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 rent the property in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Awanga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Te Awanga rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awanga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.