Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Mata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Mata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in 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 renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it 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 accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Mata, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Mata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Te Mata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Te Mata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Mata

Te Mata rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat 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 recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Mata

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Mata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Mata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Mata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.