Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata Hills

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 their Te Mata Hills rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Te Mata Hills, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Te Mata Hills rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Te Mata Hills rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Te Mata Hills Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata Hills

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Mata Hills

Te Mata Hills rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata Hills

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Mata Hills

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Mata Hills Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata Hills

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata Hills include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata Hills for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.