Healthy Homes Assessment Takapuwahia

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Takapuwahia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

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

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Takapuwahia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Takapuwahia, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Takapuwahia rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Takapuwahia rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Takapuwahia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Takapuwahia

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Takapuwahia

Takapuwahia rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Takapuwahia

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

Insulation Takapuwahia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Takapuwahia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Takapuwahia

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Takapuwahia include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Takapuwahia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.