Healthy Homes Assessment Tomoana

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 must make sure their Tomoana rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Tomoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Tomoana rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement 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 does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have 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 meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Tomoana, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective 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 diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Tomoana rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Tomoana rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Tomoana Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tomoana

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is 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 getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Tomoana

Rental properties in Tomoana need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Tomoana

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Tomoana

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to keep the heat.

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

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 higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Tomoana Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tomoana

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Tomoana include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tomoana for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.