Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Te Awa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Te Awa, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Te Awa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Te Awa rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Awa

Te Awa rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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