Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awanga

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 are now required to make sure that their Te Awanga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Te Awanga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Awanga, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Te Awanga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Te Awanga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awanga

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Te Awanga

Rental properties in Te Awanga must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Awanga

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Awanga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Awanga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awanga

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Awanga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awanga for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient 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 accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.