Healthy Homes Assessment Tutira

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Tutira rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Tutira rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Tutira, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Tutira rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Tutira rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Tutira Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Tutira

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Tutira

Tutira rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Tutira

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Tutira

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Tutira Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Tutira

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Tutira include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Tutira for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.