Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 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. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Te Awanga rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new 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 you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awanga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Awanga

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.