Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Te Awanga rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Te Awanga rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, 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 hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Awanga

Rental properties in Te Awanga must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with 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 unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awanga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.