Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Mata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with 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 healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Mata, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Te Mata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Te Mata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Te Mata

Rental properties in Te Mata should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Mata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Mata 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 rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.