Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Heretaunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that 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 meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for 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 Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Heretaunga rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in 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 less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be 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 coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Heretaunga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Heretaunga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a 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 managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.