Healthy Homes Assessment Tamatea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Tamatea 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Tamatea, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Tamatea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Tamatea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Tamatea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tamatea

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Tamatea

Tamatea rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Tamatea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tamatea

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.