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 make sure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Cannons Creek rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

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, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Rental property areas affected through 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 myriad of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.