Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Tutira 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Tutira, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Tutira rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Tutira rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Tutira

Rental properties in Tutira require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest 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 needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tutira

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This 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.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Tutira

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet 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 is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Tutira

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.