Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent 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 Cannons Creek

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.