Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Cannons Creek rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Cannons Creek rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.