Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Cannons Creek rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Cannons Creek rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Cannons Creek

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Cannons Creek include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.