Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must 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 rentals must 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Totara Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Totara Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Totara Park

Rental properties in Totara Park require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most 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 heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Totara Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening 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.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Totara Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the house to keep 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 measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Totara Park

Rental property areas 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 many things you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.