Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Te Awa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Te Awa, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Awa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance 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 for Te Awa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Te Awa

Rental properties in Te Awa need to have a stable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Te Awa

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Awa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Awa 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 make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.