Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Tutira, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Tutira rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Tutira rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could 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 flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tutira

Tutira rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tutira

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Tutira

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Tutira

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.