Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

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 now have to make sure their Awatoto rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account 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 make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Awatoto rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Awatoto rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Awatoto Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Awatoto

Rental properties in Awatoto must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Awatoto

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Awatoto

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Awatoto

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Awatoto include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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