Healthy Homes Assessment Tamatea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Tamatea 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 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 your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out 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 current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Tamatea, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Tamatea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means 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, as well as Draught Control in Tamatea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tamatea

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Tamatea

Tamatea rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which 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 minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing 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 moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented 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 areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Tamatea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing 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 Tamatea

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Tamatea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.