Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

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? 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 rentals 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 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 about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for 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 found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Awatoto rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance 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 Draught Stopping in Awatoto rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Awatoto Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Awatoto

Awatoto rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Awatoto

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Awatoto

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Awatoto

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Awatoto include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.