Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Timberlea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for 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 to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Timberlea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Timberlea

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

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

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Timberlea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.