Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide 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 leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Te Awanga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Te Awanga rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Awanga

Rental properties in Te Awanga need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Awanga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.