Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on 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, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Tutira, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Tutira rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Tutira rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted 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 the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Tutira

Tutira rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Tutira

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Tutira

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

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

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tutira

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.