Healthy Homes Assessment Tomoana

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Tomoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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 tenancy is signed on a Tomoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Tomoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. 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 pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Tomoana, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Tomoana rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less 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, and Draught Control on Tomoana rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Tomoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tomoana

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Tomoana

Tomoana rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tomoana

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Tomoana

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tomoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able 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 the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent 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 Tomoana

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tomoana include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tomoana for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.