Healthy Homes Assessment Awatoto

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Awatoto rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Awatoto rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as 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 completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Awatoto, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Awatoto rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Awatoto rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Awatoto

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Awatoto

Rental properties in Awatoto should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Awatoto

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Awatoto

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Awatoto Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Awatoto include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Awatoto for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.