Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

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 must ensure their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the 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 Hauke, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Te Hauke rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Te Hauke Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Hauke

Rental properties in Te Hauke must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Hauke

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Hauke

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Hauke

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Hauke include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.