Healthy Homes Assessment Tamatea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Tamatea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Tamatea, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Tamatea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Tamatea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Tamatea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tamatea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Tamatea

Rental properties in Tamatea require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Tamatea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tamatea

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Tamatea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.