Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely 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

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Cannons Creek rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which 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 from your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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 least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item 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 that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.