Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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 for a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Tutira, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Tutira rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Tutira rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Tutira

Tutira rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tutira

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Tutira

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tutira

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient 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 a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.