Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

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 must make sure that their Awatoto rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. 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 comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Awatoto rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in 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, and Draught Control in Awatoto rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Awatoto Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Awatoto

Awatoto rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. 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 consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Awatoto

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Awatoto

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Awatoto

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Awatoto include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.