Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata Hills

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Te Mata Hills rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess each of 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Mata Hills, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Mata Hills rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Te Mata Hills Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata Hills

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Mata Hills

Rental properties in Te Mata Hills need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata Hills

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Mata Hills

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Mata Hills Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that 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.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Mata Hills

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Mata Hills include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata Hills for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.