Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Tutira, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Tutira rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Tutira rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tutira

Tutira rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tutira

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Tutira

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tutira

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tutira include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.