Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised 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 reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Rental properties in Cannons Creek require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.