Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

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 ensure their Awatoto rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Awatoto rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Awatoto rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Awatoto Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Awatoto

Awatoto rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Awatoto

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Awatoto

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Awatoto include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.