Healthy Homes Assessment Te Awa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Awa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Awa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Te Awa, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Te Awa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Te Awa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Awa

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Awa

Te Awa rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet 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 fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Awa

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Awa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Awa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain 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 your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Awa

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Awa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Awa for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 a tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.