Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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 Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Te Hauke rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Te Hauke rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all 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.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Te Hauke

Te Hauke rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Hauke

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Hauke

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

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

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Hauke

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Hauke include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.