Healthy Homes Assessment Te Mata Hills

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Mata Hills 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess 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 of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Mata Hills rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Te Mata Hills, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Te Mata Hills rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Te Mata Hills rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Te Mata Hills Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Mata Hills

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Mata Hills

Te Mata Hills rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Mata Hills

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Mata Hills

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Mata Hills Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Mata Hills

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Mata Hills include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Mata Hills for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an home review 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?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.