Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Cannons Creek rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.