Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

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 Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house 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

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Awa, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Awa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Te Awa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Te Awa

Te Awa rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awa

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

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

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Awa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

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

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.