Healthy Homes Assessment Timberlea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Timberlea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Timberlea, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Timberlea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew 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 as Draught stopping on Timberlea rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Timberlea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Timberlea

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Timberlea

Timberlea rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Timberlea

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Timberlea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements 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 insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Timberlea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Timberlea

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Timberlea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Timberlea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.