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 are now required to make sure their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment 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?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Te Hauke rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Te Hauke rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Hauke

Te Hauke rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room 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 heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Hauke

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Hauke

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Hauke include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.