Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

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 are now required to ensure that their Te Awa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant 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 your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $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 one who is identified 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 the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Te Awa, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Te Awa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Te Awa rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Awa

Rental properties in Te Awa require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awa

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.