Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Mata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Te Mata, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Te Mata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Te Mata rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Te Mata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Te Mata

Te Mata rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Mata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Mata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.