Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Te Awanga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about getting a Te Awanga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Te Awanga

Te Awanga rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Awanga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with 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 expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.