Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified 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 contract is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Hauke rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Te Hauke rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Te Hauke

Rental properties in Te Hauke must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Hauke

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Hauke

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Hauke

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Hauke include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.