Healthy Homes Assessment Heretaunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Heretaunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Heretaunga, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Heretaunga rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Heretaunga rental properties.

Start now and call about the Heretaunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Heretaunga

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Heretaunga

Heretaunga rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended 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) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Heretaunga

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. 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 in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Heretaunga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Heretaunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Heretaunga

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Heretaunga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Heretaunga for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.