Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata Hills

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Te Mata Hills rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 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 requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Te Mata Hills, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Te Mata Hills rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Te Mata Hills Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata Hills

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Te Mata Hills

Rental properties in Te Mata Hills require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be 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 an air conditioner, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata Hills

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Mata Hills

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Mata Hills Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata Hills

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata Hills include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata Hills for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• 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 getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.