Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Te Mata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Te Mata, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Mata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in 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 may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Mata

Rental properties in Te Mata must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Mata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the 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 make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.