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 now have to ensure their Totara Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Totara Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, 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 building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Totara Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Totara Park

Rental properties in Totara Park require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on 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 well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Totara Park

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Totara Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher 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 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Totara Park include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.