Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Timberlea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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 Draught Control for Timberlea rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Timberlea

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 remainder part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing 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 Timberlea

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.