Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Te Awa 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Awa, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Te Awa rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Te Awa rental properties.

Start now and call about the Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Te Awa

Te Awa rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awa

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

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 grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Te Awa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 quality.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.