Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Awatoto rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Awatoto rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Awatoto rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Awatoto

Awatoto rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Awatoto

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Awatoto

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure 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 often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Awatoto

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Awatoto include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.