Healthy Homes Assessment Te Hauke

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Hauke rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Te Hauke rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Hauke, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Te Hauke rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Te Hauke rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Te Hauke Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Hauke

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Hauke

Rental properties in Te Hauke need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Hauke

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Hauke

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Hauke Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Hauke

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Hauke include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Hauke for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• 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?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.