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 ensure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.