Healthy Homes Assessment Tamatea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Tamatea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Tamatea, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Tamatea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Tamatea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tamatea

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Tamatea

Tamatea rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Tamatea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tamatea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Tamatea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.