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 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 rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 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’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Tamatea, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Tamatea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tamatea

Rental properties in Tamatea should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will 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 to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Tamatea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tamatea

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.