Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Te Awanga rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 as Draught Stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the 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 important for healthy homes

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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 minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awanga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.