Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice 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 Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

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 houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Tutira rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Tutira

Rental properties in Tutira need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tutira

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Tutira

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.