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 are now required to make sure their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Te Awanga rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught 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 coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Awanga

Rental properties in Te Awanga should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued 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 provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate 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 comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Awanga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 standard.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.