Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect 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 letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for 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 important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report 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 help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.