Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata Hills

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Te Mata Hills rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting 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 when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Te Mata Hills, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Te Mata Hills rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Te Mata Hills rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Te Mata Hills Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata Hills

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Mata Hills

Te Mata Hills rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Mata Hills

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Mata Hills

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Mata Hills Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

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 that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Mata Hills

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata Hills 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 minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.