Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Totara Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any 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.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for 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 on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Totara Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Totara Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Totara Park

Totara Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest 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 heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Totara Park

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Totara Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the house 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 gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is 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 present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Totara Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Totara Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.