Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata Hills

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Te Mata Hills, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Te Mata Hills rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 as Draught stopping for Te Mata Hills rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata Hills

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Mata Hills

Te Mata Hills rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Te Mata Hills

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Mata Hills

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Mata Hills Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata Hills

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata Hills include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata Hills for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.