Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete 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 not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Hauke rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Te Hauke rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Te Hauke Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Te Hauke

Rental properties in Te Hauke need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Hauke

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living 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

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 - 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 Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Hauke include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.