Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Awatoto 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 fully compliant by 1 July 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation 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 so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Awatoto rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. 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 list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Awatoto rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Awatoto Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Awatoto

Rental properties in Awatoto need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might 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 because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Awatoto

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Awatoto

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Awatoto

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Awatoto include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.