Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Awanga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awanga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the 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 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.