Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Awa, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Te Awa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Te Awa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the home require the sealing. 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 such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Te Awa

Rental properties in Te Awa need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awa

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.