Healthy Homes Assessment Cannons Creek

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Cannons Creek rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in 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 must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the 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 are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Cannons Creek include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including 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 solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.