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 ensure that their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements 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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Cannons Creek rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.