Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Te Awanga 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Awanga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awanga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.