Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs 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 fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end 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 incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Te Awanga rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Awanga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Te Awanga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.