Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 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 covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement 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 property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter 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 heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can 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. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

See the full 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.