Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 are required to be completely 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 your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside 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 is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.