Healthy Homes Assessment Tamatea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Tamatea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Tamatea, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Tamatea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Tamatea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tamatea

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Tamatea

Rental properties in Tamatea should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living space 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Tamatea

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Tamatea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Tamatea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tamatea

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tamatea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tamatea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.