Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’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 to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Heretaunga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Heretaunga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Heretaunga

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

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

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.