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 must ensure 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 are required to be fully 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Totara Park, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Totara Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be 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, and Draught Stopping within Totara Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Totara Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Totara Park

Totara Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Totara Park

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Totara Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Totara Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Totara Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Totara Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.