Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Totara Park, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Totara Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs 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 Stopping in Totara Park rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Totara Park

Rental properties in Totara Park require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check 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 acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Totara Park

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Totara Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Totara Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.