Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in 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 quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Mata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Te Mata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Mata

Rental properties in Te Mata must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Mata

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy 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 rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Mata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Mata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house 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 tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.