Healthy Homes Assessment Totara Park

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 now have to ensure their Totara Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Totara Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower 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.

Start now and call about the Totara Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Totara Park

Rental properties in Totara Park require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during 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 well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Totara Park

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Totara Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Totara Park

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Totara Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have 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 being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.