Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Tutira 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 are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Tutira, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Tutira rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Tutira rental properties.

Start now and call about the Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Tutira

Tutira rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tutira

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces 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 home is a healthy home

Insulation Tutira

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - 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 standard.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tutira

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.