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 must make sure their Cannons Creek rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Cannons Creek rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Cannons Creek, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Cannons Creek rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Cannons Creek rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Cannons Creek Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Cannons Creek

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Cannons Creek

Cannons Creek rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Cannons Creek

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Cannons Creek

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy for the home to hold 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 withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• 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, 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Cannons Creek Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Cannons Creek

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Cannons Creek for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.