Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

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 now have to make sure their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Tutira, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Tutira rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Tutira rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Tutira

Rental properties in Tutira must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Tutira

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Tutira

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Tutira

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.