Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Hauke rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Hauke

Rental properties in Te Hauke need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Te Hauke

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Hauke

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Hauke

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Hauke include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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