Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Mata 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Mata, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Te Mata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Te Mata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Te Mata

Te Mata rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Te Mata

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Mata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 standard.

Te Mata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.