Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an 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 is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Te Hauke rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Te Hauke rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Hauke

Te Hauke rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Hauke

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Hauke

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• 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, 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Hauke

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Hauke include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.