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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for 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?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Cannons Creek rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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

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

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.