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 must ensure their Cannons Creek 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 completely certified 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 requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.