Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all 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 current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs 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 Draught stopping in Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile 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 must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position 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 shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.