Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Awatoto rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Awatoto rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements 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 that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Awatoto

Rental properties in Awatoto need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended 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) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Awatoto

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Awatoto

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists 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 Awatoto

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Awatoto include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.