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? Landlords must make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Te Mata, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Te Mata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded 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 standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Te Mata rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Te Mata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Mata

Te Mata rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room 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 heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Mata

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented 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 for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Mata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Mata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

Rental property areas affected to The 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 a myriad of concerns you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.