Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Timberlea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Timberlea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when 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 from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.