Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Mata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Mata, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Te Mata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Te Mata rental properties.

Start now and call about the Te Mata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Mata

Te Mata rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Mata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to hold heat.

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

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 - 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Te Mata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.