Healthy Homes Assessment Tamatea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Tamatea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which 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.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Tamatea, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Tamatea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Tamatea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Tamatea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tamatea

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Tamatea

Tamatea rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Tamatea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tamatea

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Tamatea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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